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

Her conservative opponent in this all-female square-off, Wendy Long, was seen as facing uphill battle.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

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