Meaning & use
squared off
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“squared off” is a form of “square off”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phrasephrasal verb
Took up positions facing an opponent, ready for a fight, contest or argument.
Grammar: No object; usually followed by 'against' or 'with': the two teams squared off.
Patterns
- square off against someone
- square off with someone
- square off over something
The two candidates squared off in a televised debate on Thursday.
The boxers squared off in the middle of the ring and touched gloves.
Parents and the school board squared off over the new schedule.
phrasetransitive
Made something have straight edges and right-angled corners.
Grammar: Takes an object, which can come before 'off': he squared off the board, or squared the board off.
Patterns
- square something off
He squared off the end of the plank with a saw.
She squared off the corners of the paper before folding it.
The mason squared off the stone so it would sit flat in the wall.
Word forms
| base form | square off |
|---|---|
| third person singular | squares off |
| -ing form | squaring off |
Common combinations
- squared off against
- The champions squared off against last year's runners-up.
- squared off in court
- The two companies squared off in court over the patent.
- squared off over
- The senators squared off over the budget.
- squared off the edges
- She squared off the edges of the sandwich before cutting it.
- squared off in a debate
- The students squared off in a debate on school uniforms.
Synonyms and how they differ
- face off
- It is nearly the same for rival groups meeting, but it can also describe one tense meeting without any argument.
- go head to head
- It is more informal and stresses direct competition rather than preparation to fight.
- confront
- It is more serious and involves challenging someone about a problem, not just meeting a rival.
Opposites
Word family
- square verb
- to make square, or to settle
- square adjective
- having four equal sides and right angles
- square-off noun
- a confrontation between rivals
- squarely adverb
- directly, without turning aside
Commonly confused: squared off or squared away?
squared off vs squared away
'Squared away' means tidied or sorted out, but 'squared off' means faced up to a rival or given straight edges.
Practice
The mayor and the governor ___ over who should pay for the new bridge.
Choose one answer.
'Squared off' describes two rivals facing each other in a dispute; 'squared up the corners' is about shape, and the other options do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “squared off”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.