square up

You face someone and get ready to fight them.

• The two men squared up.
• He squared up to me outside the club.
• She stepped back when the stranger began to square up.

How to use it: square up to someone (He squared up to the man who had pushed him.)

Similar words: prepare to fight

Common phrases: square up to someone, square up angrily, square up in defense

You pay someone the money you owe them.

• I will square up tomorrow.
• Have you squared up with Anna for the tickets?
• We squared up before leaving the hotel.

How to use it: square up with someone (I will square up with you after lunch.); square something up (We squared the bill up before leaving.)

Similar words: settle up, pay back

Common phrases: square up with someone, square something up

You face an opponent in a match or competition.

• The teams square up tonight.
• Two leading candidates squared up in the debate.
• Who will square up against last year’s champion?

How to use it: square up against someone (Our team will square up against the champions.); square up to someone (She squared up to her rival in the final.)

Similar words: face, compete against

Common phrases: square up against someone, square up to someone

You cut or machine a block so its sides and corners are accurately square.

• Square up the block first.
• She squared up the insert on the milling machine.
• These blocks must be squared up before assembly.

How to use it: square something up (The machinist squared the metal block up.)

Similar words: true up

Common phrases: square up blocks, square something up