how to square up

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   to prepare to fight someone, often by putting your hands up and moving into a fighting position

   Grammar: Used as an infinitive phrase after 'how to'; it does not take an object directly, but you can say 'square up to someone'.

   Patterns

   • square up to someone
   • square up with someone

   When the argument got heated, the two men squared up to each other in the street.

   He squared up to the bully, ready to defend himself.

   The players squared up after a bad tackle, and the referee had to separate them.

2. 2phraseidiombusiness

   to pay money that you owe, especially by settling a debt or bill

   Grammar: Often followed by 'with someone' or 'to someone'; used in business or financial contexts.

   Patterns

   • square up with someone
   • square up to someone
   • square up a debt

   We need to square up with the supplier before the end of the month.

   Let's square up the accounts before we leave the office.

   I squared up with my friend after he paid for my ticket.

Common combinations

square up to someone

The little boy squared up to the bigger kid, surprising everyone.

square up with someone

I'll square up with you for the dinner later.

square up a debt

He squared up his debt with the bank last week.

square up for a fight

The two teams squared up for a fight after the match.

Synonyms and how they differ

confront

More formal and general; it can mean facing a problem or person, not just fighting.

settle up

Used for paying what you owe, but without the idea of fighting.

face off

Similar to 'square up' for starting a fight or competition, but often used in sports.

Opposites

Commonly confused: how to square up or square away?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “how to square up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words