Idioms

square off

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square off

To fight, argue, or begin a conflict or competition. The two fighters will be squaring off tomorrow at 9 PM. The two candidates squared off for the first time during the debate last night and things got heated very quickly. Oh, those two are always squaring off at meetings. It's nothing new.
See also: off, square
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

square something off

to make something square; to trim something until it is square. You will have to square this corner off a bit so it will match the part it will be attached to. Please square off this corner.
See also: off, square

square off (for something)

to get ready for an argument or a fight. John was angry and appeared to be squaring off for a fight. When those two square off, everyone gets out of the way.
See also: off, square
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

square off

Take a fighting stance, prepare to fight, as in As they squared off, the teacher came out and stopped them, or The ambassador said the two countries were squaring off. [First half of 1800s]
See also: off, square
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

square off

v.
1. To make something square or rectangular: The carpenter squared the plank off with a table saw. The designer has squared off the toe of the shoe.
2. To assume a fighting stance; prepare to fight: The two fighters squared off and exchanged blows.
3. To face someone or something in a competition or debate: The two candidates will square off in a debate. The team squared off against its longtime rival. The governor prepared to square off with legislators over the new tax bill.
See also: off, square
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

square off

in. to prepare to fight; to prepare to argue or compete. They were squaring off, so I asked them if they’d like to step outside.
See also: off, square
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also:
References in periodicals archive
Keyes and Nader will square off Saturday, May 19, to debate the business consequences of government actions and each party's agenda based on the results of the 2000 election.
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Kolkata [India], May 25 ( ANI ): Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders will bank on their home advantage when they square off with struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second Qualifier of the ongoing 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) here at the Eden Gardens on Friday.
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His musical "square off" with guitarist Richie Sambora on a show-stopping Wanted: Dead Or Alive was worth the admission price alone.
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IN regard to the revamp of Lepton Square off Highgate Lane, nice stone flags were laid last Friday outside shops and looked very clean and tidy only to be taken up on the Monday to make a flower bed to collect takeaway cartons, beer cans and no doubt other messy rubbish.
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It's like a poetic version of "Top Chef." Recent slam team members Danielle Carriveau, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Dave Keali'i, Danny Balel and McKendy Fils-Aime will square off against veteran slammers Gary Hoare, Bobby Gibbs, Bill MacMillan and Nick Davis in a four-round gauntlet to decide which poet will represent Worcester in Berkley.
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SALUTE THE SARGE and Leonides, 1-2 in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship, square off again in the Best Pal Stakes, the first juvenile colts' graded stakes of the Del Mar meet, writes Dan Farley.
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A deal had apparently been agreed for the Welsh WBO king to square off against European champion Haye, from Bermondsey, in Cardiff on April 7.
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BOXING buddies Lee Meager and Dave Stewart will become ring rivals for 12 rounds when they square off on May 12.
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Taylor and Barneveld will square off in Bournemouth in the Holsten Premier League of Darts, with both men boasting a perfect record after four rounds and occupying the top two spots.
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The world number three will now square off against either second seed Kim Clijsters or comeback queen Martina Hingis in the semi-finals.
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Ricky Hatton will be on the scene when the world's top two light- welter weights square off for the IBF title in Phoenix tonight.
BOXING: Hatton looks on
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