square meal

noun

1. a nourishing or filling meal:

   You'll feel better after you've had a square meal.

square meal

noun

1. a substantial meal consisting of enough food to satisfy

Word History and Origins

Origin of square meal¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Robert Rosenthal asks if you can still get a square meal from a round can—plus view the most unappetizing products.

From The Daily Beast

Robert Rosenthal asks if you can still get a square meal from a round can—plus, view the most unappetizing products.

From The Daily Beast

I ain't had a square meal since yesterday morning, and I grabbed that at a quick-lunch joint.

From Project Gutenberg

At this lunch, which is my "square meal," I eat a large slice of beefsteak, say a third of a pound.

From Project Gutenberg

When a good square meal had somewhat thawed them out, I said, "Boys, what made you quit swearing last night?"

From Project Gutenberg

Every one made a splendid square meal; but Bedstemor took the prize for appetite.

From Project Gutenberg

The Cetonia-larva is a square meal in itself, one large dish, which has to retain a suitable freshness until the end.

From Project Gutenberg