square up
The phrase "square up" is versatile, used in contexts from settling debts to preparing for confrontation.
Definition
B2Financial
(informal)To settle a debt or account.
Example
- I need to square up with you for the lunch bill.
- Let's square up our accounts before the end of the month.
B2Confrontational
(informal)To prepare to fight or confront someone.
Example
- He squared up to the bully, ready to defend himself.
- The two teams squared up before the match.
C1Alignment
(technical)To align or position something so that it is straight or properly arranged.
Example
- Make sure to square up the edges before cutting the wood.
- The carpenter squared up the frame to ensure it was level.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "square up":
square offsquare awayfront uptrue upcash upset squareante upeven upshape upon the squarematch upsize upround upbox upcorner uppay backstraighten upreckon upround offeven outround outbalance the bookssquare one's shouldersfight uptee upstack upout of squarepay offdouble uphem upput up one's dukesnut upfix upmake it up tostand upclose outchalk upfinish uppair upstraighten outdummy upman upstraight upsack upkick upcue upfit up