square off

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to assume a posture of offence or defence, as in boxing

Idioms and Phrases

Take a fighting stance, prepare to fight, as in As they squared off, the teacher came out and stopped them, or The ambassador said the two countries were squaring off. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Suddenly, the clash thrust Petro into a role that is garnering worldwide attention: David squaring off against the U.S.’s Goliath.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Dodgers will square off in the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, who advanced to the Fall Classic for the first time since 1993 after beating the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The matchup with the Dodgers will offer star power on both sides, with the AL’s No. 1 seed this postseason squaring off against a defending champion trying to cement a dynasty.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Three weeks later, Ohtani is set to square off against the Phillies again, in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Against this enclave’s polished stone walls and bannisters, Lee looks every ragged inch of the tawdry menace the politicians and businessmen he squares off against expect him to be.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• allow 
• challenge 
• confront 
• encounter 
• endure 
• experience 
• fight 
• meet 
• oppose 
• risk 
• run into 
• suffer 
• take