square deal

¹ American  

noun

1. a fair and honest arrangement or transaction.

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Square Deal ² American  

noun

U.S. History.

1. the stated policy of President Theodore Roosevelt, originally promising fairness in all dealings with labor and management and later extended to include other groups.

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square deal Idioms  

1. A just, equitable arrangement or transaction, as in I know I'll get a square deal if I work with that supplier. This idiom uses square in the sense of “fair” or “honest,” a usage dating from the 1300s. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of square deal

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

"Our members, along with the entire trade union movement will continue their campaign for a square deal for workers, decent pay increases and good working conditions," he said.

From BBC

"We will resist that and our members, along with the entire trade union movement will continue their campaign for a square deal for workers, decent pay increases and good working conditions."

From BBC

His success has surprised even some of his union colleagues, who were bracing themselves for much greater public backlash to their fight for a “square deal” at a time of rampant inflation and wage stagnation.

From New York Times

But there is a growing feeling among Democrats — along with many mainstream economists — that the market alone cannot give workers a square deal.

From New York Times

A few weeks ago, during Trump’s visit to Valdosta, Perdue told the president that he and Loeffler would “fight to make sure you get a fair square deal in the state of Georgia.”

From Washington Post

Related Words

• candor
• civility
• decency
• decorum
• equity
• honesty
• humanity
• impartiality
• integrity
• legitimacy
• moderation
• propriety
• rationality
• righteousness
• suitability
• tolerance
• truth
• veracity