pear

A phrase used humorously at the end of a list, as in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." A: "Do you think you'll be able to remember everything?" B: "Oh sure, you just want me to pick up butter, eggs, shampoo, conditioner, bread, turkey burgers, and a partridge in a pear tree. Yes, I think I've got it." Who all is coming to the party? Well, let's see—John, Luis, Ray, Eric, Divya, Leanne, and a partridge in a pear tree. A: "How many people are we expected to feed on Thanksgiving? Your mom and dad, my mom and dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Nanny and Pop, Aunt Ethel, Uncle Lou, and a partridge in a pear tree?" B: "Yeah, pretty much."

informal To be narrow in the top half of one's body and wider in the bottom half, like the shape of a pear. I've always been a bit of a pear, with a small chest and a big bottom. Oh well. I know that I'm a pear, so I wear clothes that really show off my curvy waist. If shopping frustrates you, it might be helpful know what your body shape is and what silhouettes flatter it best. I think you're a pear.

To be narrow in the top half of one's body and wider in the bottom half, like the shape of a pear. I've always been a bit pear-shaped, with a small chest and a big bottom. Oh well. I know that I'm pear-shaped, so I wear clothes that really show off my curvy waist. If shopping frustrates you, it might be helpful know what your body shape is and what silhouettes flatter it best. I think you're pear-shaped.

To fail or fall apart. The deal went pear-shaped because of disagreements over the distribution of royalties. Molly's surprise party went pear-shaped after someone in the office accidentally told her about it. The event will definitely go pear-shaped if our chief donor backs out!

rude slang To start acting in a strong, confident, or courageous manner, especially after having previously failed to do so. The phrase is short for "grow a pair of balls (testicles)," but is not exclusively applied to males. Often used as an imperative. You need to grow a pair and ask your boss for a raise already! Janet, I know you're nervous about asking Tom out on a date, but just grow a pair and give it a shot! Dude needs to grow a pair—a bug buzzed by, and he practically jumped out of his skin!

informal A body type characterized by a narrow top half and a wide bottom half, like the shape of a pear. I've always been a bit of a pear, with a small chest and a big bottom. Oh well. I don't have much of a bust, so I started to look like a pear when I put on weight around my waist.

proverb Take action that will benefit your heirs. Pear trees traditionally took such a long time to yield fruit that one would plant them for the benefit of the next generation. You should look into setting up some sort of trust fund that will grow over time and help your children when you're no longer here. Plant pears for your heirs, as they say.

COMMON If a situation or activity goes pear-shaped, it starts to fail or have problems. We started well, but it all went pear-shaped and we lost five matches in a row. He is always asked to comment whenever the global economy goes pear-shaped.