sidekick
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a person who helps a more important person, often going everywhere with them.
a subordinate partner or assistant who accompanies a superior or more prominent individual.
Simple“The detective and his loyal sidekick arrived at the crime scene together.”
In context“Throughout the campaign, the candidate was rarely seen without his trusted sidekick, who managed the press and handled minor crises.”
UsageUsually refers to a person in a supporting role rather than an equal partner.
Teacher's tipWhile common in fiction, using this for a real colleague can sound slightly belittling as it implies they are less important.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a character in a book or movie who helps the main hero and makes them look better.
a character in a narrative who serves as a foil to the protagonist, highlighting their traits through contrast or support.
Simple“Robin is the most famous sidekick in comic book history.”
In context“The author used the protagonist's sidekick to provide comic relief and to ask the questions the audience might be thinking.”
Antonyms
“But as his best friends pursue their own ideas and the new kid starts to turn into a villain rather than a sidekick, will Hari’s dream be over before it’s begun?”
From side + kick, which in the late 19th and early 20th century was a slang term for the front side pocket of a pair of trousers, known as the pocket safest from theft. Thus, by analogy, a "side-kick" was a person's closest companion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.