pair of pliers
Definition
Noun: A hand tool designed for gripping, holding, bending, or cutting objects. It consists of two metal arms (levers) joined by a pivot (hinge). The arms have serrated (toothed) jaws at the working end to provide a firm grip, and handles at the other end for the user to apply force.
Usage
This term refers to the specific tool itself. It is typically used with verbs like use, grab, need, or tighten. - You need a pair of pliers to twist that wire. - Can you hand me the pair of pliers from the toolbox? - He used a pair of pliers to remove the nail.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often shortened informally to just "pliers" (e.g., "Pass me the pliers").
- It is frequently modified to specify a type, such as , , or .
Variants and Related Words
- Pliers (n): The common, shortened form of "a pair of pliers."
- Tongs (n): A similar gripping tool, but typically with blunt, often concave ends, used for handling hot or delicate items (e.g., , ).
- Wrench (n): A tool for turning nuts and bolts, which grips primarily on the flats of a fastener, unlike pliers which grip an object directly.
Synonyms
- Gripping tool
- Hand vise (less common)
Related Phrases
- A pair of [tool]: A common construction for tools with two joined parts (e.g., , , ).
Noun
-
a gripping hand tool with two hinged arms and (usually) serrated jaws
