Meaning & use
square off
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Meanings
phraseintransitive
To move into a position facing an opponent, ready to fight, argue, or compete.
Grammar: Often followed by against or with: square off against someone.
Patterns
- square off against someone
- square off with someone
- square off for something
The two boxers squared off in the center of the ring.
The candidates will square off in a televised debate tonight.
Protesters squared off with police outside the building.
phrasetransitive
To put two things in opposition or arrange a contest between two sides.
Grammar: Often used in the passive: be squared off against someone.
Patterns
- square someone off against someone
- be squared off against someone
The draw squared the champion off against her old rival.
The two teams were squared off against each other in the final.
Common combinations
- square off against someone
- The team will square off against their rivals on Saturday.
- square off in a debate
- The leaders squared off in a heated debate.
- square off with police
- The fans squared off with police after the match.
Synonyms and how they differ
- face off
- Face off is very similar but often used for the start of a contest; square off can also suggest a more aggressive, fighting stance.
- confront
- Confront is more general and can be used for facing a problem or person directly; square off is usually physical or competitive.
Opposites
Commonly confused: square off or square up?
square off vs square up
Square up can mean to pay a debt or to get ready to fight; square off specifically means to face an opponent.
Practice
The two teams will ______ in the final on Sunday.
Choose one answer.
Square off means to face an opponent in a contest. 'Square up' can mean to pay or get ready to fight, 'square away' means to organize, and 'square with' means to agree with.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “square off”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.