SQUARE UP Definition & Meaning

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square up

[ skwair uhp ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb phrase

to adjust (something) so that it is square or rectangular:
Use a mallet to square up the frame and check by measuring the diagonals—both dimensions should be the same.
Your desk would look neater if you squared up the piles of papers so they don’t look so much like haystacks.
to pay, settle, or reconcile (an account, bill, ledger, etc.):
We squared up with the cashier and checked out of the hotel.
A property manager can help you collect dues, square up the books, and save money by negotiating discounts with local service providers.
to accord or agree (often followed by with ):
It’s a compelling thesis, but the evidence presented does not really square up with the theory.
to face or cause to face someone or something directly (often followed by to or with ):
Coaching manuals are fairly consistent in advising athletes to square up the body to the basket and jump vertically.
First we square up, sitting or standing directly across from the other person, because effective, forthright communication is not assisted by angles.
to confront or face up to something, as a fight, challenge, or sporting match (often followed by to or against ); square off: square:
These strike actions are growing in regularity as businesses and the unions square up to each other.
Malaysia will square up against Pakistan in their last round robin match on Thursday.
Baseball. to hit firmly or solidly:
The pitcher’s breaking ball is impossible to square up when he keeps it low in the strike zone.

square up

verb

to pay or settle (bills, debts, etc)
informal.
to arrange or be arranged satisfactorily
intrfoll byto to prepare to be confronted (with), esp courageously
trfoll byto to adopt a position of readiness to fight (an opponent)
tr to transfer (a drawing) by aid of a network of squares
to tidy up

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of square up¹

First recorded in 1750–60

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Idioms and Phrases

Settle a bill or debt, as in The others went to get the car while he squared up with the waiter . This idiom derives from square in the sense of “set straight.” [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Sometimes people don't realise they are living through a moment of history," a cabinet minister notes, as Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping square up to each other, and stock markets plunge.

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As the two players squared up to one another, members of both teams got involved and the exchange quickly descended into a melee which spilled into the spectator seats at courtside.

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People got very, very exercised about various opinions and that, for me, included being squared up to in the street because of the decisions that we were taking.

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Liverpool midfielder Jones reacted to Doucoure celebrating the result in front of the away fans, leading to players from both sides squaring up before the pair were shown second yellow cards.

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Martin and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler squared up to each other at the end of the match at Amex Stadium, as both bosses accused each other of a lack of respect.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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