square deal

¹

noun

1. a fair and honest arrangement or transaction.

Square Deal

²

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of square deal¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Related Words

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