square away

verb

1. to set the sails of (a square-rigger) at right angles to the keel
2. tr to make neat and tidy

Idioms and Phrases

Put in order; also, get ready for. For example, Once we've got the files squared away, we can decide on next year's repertory , or She had to square away the house before leaving town . This expression uses square in the sense of “arrange in accordance with some principle,” indirectly alluding to the geometric square. [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

But at last, on Monday afternoon, at four oclock, the storm quieted so we were able to square away again for the Windward Passage.

From Project Gutenberg

At meridian, therefore, I gave the order to square away, and to make sail on our course.

From Project Gutenberg

Then suddenly the stillness of the hour was broken by the loud report of a pistol not half a square away.

From Project Gutenberg

The captain of the barque gave the order to sling the dinghy on deck and square away again.

From Project Gutenberg

He knew he would not feel safe until he was a square away from the house.

From Project Gutenberg