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• square deal
  square deal

  noun

  a fair and honest arrangement or transaction.
• Square Deal
  Square Deal

  noun

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

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 • Dec. 12, 2022

“Haven’t I given you a square deal, Miss Goldman?”

From The New Yorker • Nov. 4, 2019

“I will apply the law faithfully and fearlessly and without regard to persons. … Any law is going to get a fair and square deal with me.”

From Washington Times • Mar. 28, 2017

“Anyone, any law, is going to get a fair and square deal with me,” Gorsuch said.

From Washington Post • Mar. 21, 2017

For the matter of that, haven't the army dogs over in Europe been doing enough for mankind to warrant a square deal for their stay-at-home brothers?

From Lad: A Dog by Terhune, Albert Payson

Related Words

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