square meal

American  

noun

1. a nourishing or filling meal.

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

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square meal British  

noun

1. a substantial meal consisting of enough food to satisfy

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Etymology

Origin of square meal

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

square meal

Three or four children cram behind each desk at a local school, which aims to feed each pupil a bowl of rice and beans so they can have at least one square meal per day.

From Reuters ● Dec. 13, 2021

Is it for the promise of a square meal that she takes so drastic a step, when she’s just found a guy she likes?

From Washington Post ● Oct. 15, 2021

Maybe for lunch today I’ll make a square meal of my own.

From The Verge ● Aug. 26, 2021

I also think you could consider having some/all of your teenagers plan and prepare a square meal for the family on a semiregular basis.

From Slate ● Nov. 25, 2020

“He moved into the hospital after they cleaned it up. Used to come over from time to time for a square meal and a chat, though he hasn’t been lately.”

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk