square up

[ skwair uhp ]

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 by with ):

   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 or with ):

   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 or against ); 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.

square up

verb

1. to pay or settle (bills, debts, etc)
2. informal.
   to arrange or be arranged satisfactorily
3. intrfoll byto to prepare to be confronted (with), esp courageously
4. trfoll byto 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of square up¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Near the end of his set, he squared up behind a mic and started throwing out long, passionate vocal lines in a language I can’t say I recognized.

From Los Angeles Times

“I would like to square up a couple things with the boy. No bad vibes or nothing like that but just — but we need to talk.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nearly three decades after being the maniacally driven quarterback who wasn’t afraid to square up with his defensive teammate, Harbaugh is bringing the same fire to the franchise as its head coach.

From Los Angeles Times

“Regardless of how they’re attacking me, I’m really focused on swinging at strikes. And when I’m not really squaring up, then it’s kind of telling me that I’m not quite on it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Almost everything he threw, it seemed, was easy for opponents to square up on the barrel.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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