Spring right? Call spouse for training assistant! (8,7)
I believe the answer is:
sparring partner
'training assistant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'spring right? call spouse' is the wordplay.
'spring' becomes 'spa' (spa can mean a mineral spring).
'right?' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'call' becomes 'ring' (synonyms).
'spouse' becomes 'partner' (synonyms).
'spa'+'r'+'ring'+'partner'='SPARRING PARTNER'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sparring partner that I've seen before include "jabber" , "Argumentative friend" , "What a boxer needs" , "Boxer's opponent during training" , "hits rehearsed with me?" .)