I was born and bred in this city, said Rakesh, in reply to his friend’s question.

“That’s an interesting way of putting it,” remarked Vinay. “You could have said you were born and grew up here, but you used a popular phrase.”

“Here’s another expression with two words starting with the same letter, joined by ‘and’,” said Rakesh. “You look hale and hearty!”

“I was unwell earlier,” said Vinay, “and injections were part and parcel of my treatment.”

“Well, you’re not black and blue from them,” laughed Rakesh. “Sorry. I shouldn’t make fun of your aches and pains.”

“That’s an example of two words with ‘and’ in the centre that don’t begin with the same letter, but mean the same,” said Vinay. There are many such pairs. I was far and away the most difficult patient in the hospital, trying to creep out of nooks and crannies. The staff had to find ways and means of blocking my escape.”

“I’m sure I’d have moaned and groaned in your place,” said Rakesh. “Note those two rhyming words with ‘and’ in their midst.”

Vinay grinned. “If you were ill, Rakesh, your nearest and dearest would call on you.”

“I should hate their comings and goings,” laughed Rakesh. “Here we have ‘and’ separated by two words that neither rhyme nor start with the same letter. Besides, they are opposites.”

“You shouldn’t mind people visiting you now and then,” said Vinay, “especially your flesh and blood.”

Rakesh’s was thinking of related words, not relatives. “That phrase doesn’t fall into any of our earlier categories, although the words go together. They are rather like that tiresome rise and shine which rouses you from sleep.”
Vinay nodded. “One gets quite sick and tired of that!”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Correct the following by changing the last word in each phrase:

Wine and shine
Touch and toe
One and none
Bits and traces
Rack and ribbon

Select the blank space below to view answers

Answers: 1. Dine 2. Go 3. All 4. Pieces 5. Ruin