1 B2 idiomatic informal
To adopt a confrontational physical stance, ready to fight
"The younger boy squared up to the bully, refusing to back down despite being smaller."
inseparable
square up
B2 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To adopt a fighting stance, to settle a bill or debt, or to confront a challenge bravely
In plain English
To get ready to fight someone, or to pay money you owe
What does "square up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To pay money that you owe someone; to settle a bill or debt
"Let me square up with you for last night's dinner — how much do I owe?"
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To confront a problem, challenge, or difficult situation with courage
"Eventually she had to square up to the reality that the business was failing."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To square your shoulders and stand upright, ready to face opposition — a posture associated with readiness and honesty
Actually means
To get ready to fight someone, or to pay money you owe
Usage tip
Has two main senses that are quite different: the financial sense ('let me square up with you') and the confrontational sense ('he squared up to the bully'). The financial sense is very common in casual British and American speech. The confrontational sense has a slightly old-fashioned or literary flavour.
Words that pair with "square up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bill debt bully challenge opponent problem
How to conjugate "square up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
square up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
squares up
he/she/it
Past simple
squared up
yesterday
Past participle
squared up
have + pp
-ing form
squaring up
continuous
Hear "square up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "square up"
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Keep exploring
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