square up

American  

[skwair uhp] / ˈskwɛər ˈʌp /

verb phrase

1. to adjust (something) so that it is square or rectangular.

   Use a mallet to square up the frame and check by measuring the diagonals—both dimensions should be the same.

   Your desk would look neater if you squared up the piles of papers so they don’t look so much like haystacks.

2. to pay, settle, or reconcile (an account, bill, ledger, etc.).

   We squared up with the cashier and checked out of the hotel.

   A property manager can help you collect dues, square up the books, and save money by negotiating discounts with local service providers.

3. to accord or agree (often followed bywith ).

   It’s a compelling thesis, but the evidence presented does not really square up with the theory.

4. to face or cause to face someone or something directly (often followed by to orwith ).

   Coaching manuals are fairly consistent in advising athletes to square up the body to the basket and jump vertically.

   First we square up, sitting or standing directly across from the other person, because effective, forthright communication is not assisted by angles.

5. to confront or face up to something, as a fight, challenge, or sporting match (often followed by to oragainst ); square off: square.

   These strike actions are growing in regularity as businesses and the unions square up to each other.

   Malaysia will square up against Pakistan in their last round robin match on Thursday.

6. Baseball. to hit firmly or solidly.

   The pitcher’s breaking ball is impossible to square up when he keeps it low in the strike zone.

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square up British  

verb

1. to pay or settle (bills, debts, etc)

2. informal to arrange or be arranged satisfactorily

3. to prepare to be confronted (with), esp courageously

4. to adopt a position of readiness to fight (an opponent)

5. (tr) to transfer (a drawing) by aid of a network of squares

6. to tidy up

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square up Idioms  

1. Settle a bill or debt, as in The others went to get the car while he squared up with the waiter. This idiom derives from square in the sense of “set straight.” [Early 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of square up

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

He was squared up by Mitchell Starc, as he was in the first innings in Perth, and nicked towards the cordon.

From BBC

Investors, Mr Stanley said, are "squaring up" as they grapple with uncertainty about the state of the economy, and whether the Fed will be forced to keep interest rates higher if inflation heats up.

From BBC

The teams will square up again for three one-day internationals starting in Christchurch on Sunday, followed by three Tests in December.

From Barron's

His company has announced AI chips squaring up to sector heavyweight Nvidia and challenger AMD.

From Barron's

They squared up a pair of fastballs Gausman left over the plate, and made the veteran right-hander pay with two towering solo home runs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alleviate
• ameliorate
• amend
• assuage
• correct
• mitigate
• rectify
• redress
• relieve
• restore
• solve
• straighten out