Squares are simple shapes, but in American English, the word “square” can mean much more than a shape. People use “square” in phrases to talk about people, places, and ideas. These phrases, called idioms, can make conversations more fun and interesting. Idioms help express things in creative ways. In the United States, some of these expressions have been around for many years, while others are more modern.
This article will explore idioms that include the word “square.” Each one will show you what it means, how to use it, and where it came from. Whether you’re at school, at home, or just talking with friends, learning these square idioms can help you sound more natural and clear. Let’s take a closer look at some common ones used in everyday American speech.
Idioms About Squares
1. Be there (or be square)
Meaning: If you don’t come, you’ll miss out.
Example Sentence:
– The party is at 6. Be there or be square.
– Everyone is going to the game. Be there or be square.
Other ways to say: Don’t miss it, Come or you’ll regret it
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom became popular in the USA during the 1950s. “Square” was slang for someone boring or out of touch.
Usage: Used to invite someone in a fun, casual way.
2. Square deal
Meaning: A fair and honest arrangement.
Example Sentence:
– I just want a square deal when I trade in my bike.
– The teacher gave us a square deal on the test.
Other ways to say: Fair trade, Honest offer
Fun Fact/Origin: President Teddy Roosevelt used “square deal” to describe his fair policies.
Usage: Used when people want or offer fairness.
3. Back to square one
Meaning: To start over from the beginning.
Example Sentence:
– Our science project failed, so we’re back to square one.
– If this plan doesn’t work, we’ll be back to square one.
Other ways to say: Start over, Begin again
Fun Fact/Origin: Thought to come from board games where players return to the first square.
Usage: Used when something goes wrong and must be redone.
4. Square peg in a round hole
Meaning: A person who doesn’t fit in.
Example Sentence:
– He felt like a square peg in a round hole at the new school.
– She’s a square peg in a round hole in that dance class.
Other ways to say: Doesn’t fit in, Out of place
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from trying to fit shapes into the wrong spaces.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t match their group or setting.
5. Fair and square
Meaning: Done honestly and without cheating.
Example Sentence:
– He won the race fair and square.
– The team earned the win fair and square.
Other ways to say: Honestly, Without tricks
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “square” once meant honest or straightforward.
Usage: Used when something is done the right way.
6. Square off
Meaning: To get ready to fight or compete.
Example Sentence:
– The boys squared off before the dodgeball match.
– The two teams squared off for the championship.
Other ways to say: Face off, Get ready to battle
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from boxing, where fighters face each other in a square ring.
Usage: Used before a challenge or argument.
7. On the square
Meaning: Honest and trustworthy.
Example Sentence:
– You can trust her. She’s on the square.
– He always gives a fair price. He’s on the square.
Other ways to say: Honest, Truthful
Fun Fact/Origin: “Square” used to mean something true or correct in old English.
Usage: Used to describe honest people or actions.
8. Square the circle
Meaning: To try something impossible.
Example Sentence:
– Finding a one-size-fits-all answer is like squaring the circle.
– They’re trying to square the circle with that plan.
Other ways to say: Do the impossible, Solve the unsolvable
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from an old math problem with no solution.
Usage: Used when someone tries something very hard or unlikely.
9. Get square with
Meaning: To settle a debt or make things even.
Example Sentence:
– I’ll get square with you after lunch.
– He got square with the library by paying his fine.
Other ways to say: Pay back, Make even
Fun Fact/Origin: “Square” here means balance or fairness.
Usage: Used when someone fixes a debt or a wrong.
10. Square away
Meaning: To finish or arrange something neatly.
Example Sentence:
– Let’s square away the classroom before lunch.
– She squared away her papers before leaving.
Other ways to say: Tidy up, Organize
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in the military to mean everything is in order.
Usage: Used when completing or cleaning something.
11. Square up
Meaning: To get ready to fight or to pay a bill.
Example Sentence:
– The players squared up after the foul.
– Let’s square up the check before we go.
Other ways to say: Settle up, Get ready
Fun Fact/Origin: Can mean physical or money matters.
Usage: Used in sports, payments, or arguments.
12. Square-jawed
Meaning: Brave-looking or strong-featured, usually about a person’s face.
Example Sentence:
– The hero had a square-jawed look.
– That actor has a strong, square-jawed face.
Other ways to say: Strong-chinned, Bold look
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from comic books and movies showing strong heroes.
Usage: Used when describing someone’s brave or tough appearance.
13. Square up to
Meaning: To face something difficult or scary.
Example Sentence:
– He squared up to the bully.
– She squared up to her fear of heights.
Other ways to say: Face head-on, Confront
Fun Fact/Origin: Related to standing tall and facing something directly.
Usage: Used when dealing with fears or problems.
14. Square as a block
Meaning: Old-fashioned or boring.
Example Sentence:
– That outfit is square as a block.
– Don’t be square as a block—try the new game.
Other ways to say: Dull, Not trendy
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in the 1960s to describe people not keeping up with trends.
Usage: Used when someone is behind on fashion or ideas.
15. A square meal
Meaning: A full, healthy meal.
Example Sentence:
– After practice, I need a square meal.
– That diner serves a square meal every time.
Other ways to say: Big meal, Full plate
Fun Fact/Origin: In the past, navy meals were served on square plates.
Usage: Used to talk about filling, balanced food.
16. Square one’s shoulders
Meaning: To stand tall and show confidence.
Example Sentence:
– She squared her shoulders before going on stage.
– He squared his shoulders and faced the crowd.
Other ways to say: Stand proud, Be brave
Fun Fact/Origin: Posture shows how ready someone is.
Usage: Used when preparing to do something hard.
17. Out of square
Meaning: Not balanced or working right.
Example Sentence:
– The door is out of square and won’t shut.
– That plan is out of square with our goals.
Other ways to say: Off-track, Misaligned
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from building when corners aren’t right angles.
Usage: Used when things are not working well.
18. Square your account
Meaning: To clear up your money owed.
Example Sentence:
– I need to square my account before closing it.
– You can’t leave until you square your account.
Other ways to say: Settle bills, Pay off
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in banking and finance.
Usage: Used when finishing money-related matters.
19. Square dance
Meaning: A kind of American folk dance done in groups.
Example Sentence:
– We learned a square dance in gym class.
– There’s a square dance at the fair tonight.
Other ways to say: Group dance, Folk dance
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in rural parts of the USA.
Usage: Used for fun social dances, especially in the South and Midwest.
20. Square roots
Meaning: The base number in math that makes a square when multiplied.
Example Sentence:
– The square root of 25 is 5.
– We learned about square roots in math today.
Other ways to say: Math base, Root number
Fun Fact/Origin: Tied to the shape square in math.
Usage: Used in school math topics.
21. Back-square
Meaning: To return to a safe or starting place in sports.
Example Sentence:
– The soccer player passed it back-square.
– He made a back-square move to the goalie.
Other ways to say: Reset, Return the play
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in British and some American sports.
Usage: Used when players reset the ball or game.
22. As square as a checkerboard
Meaning: Completely honest or predictable.
Example Sentence:
– He’s as square as a checkerboard—never tells a lie.
– That teacher is as square as a checkerboard.
Other ways to say: Truthful, Straight
Fun Fact/Origin: Checkerboards are made of equal squares, showing balance.
Usage: Used when someone is totally honest.
23. Square it
Meaning: To fix a problem or make it even.
Example Sentence:
– Let’s square it with the teacher so we don’t get in trouble.
– They squared it after their fight.
Other ways to say: Make peace, Settle things
Fun Fact/Origin: “Square” used as a symbol of fairness.
Usage: Used when fixing a problem between people.
Quiz: Idioms About Squares
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning of each idiom. Pick A, B, or C. These idioms are used in everyday American English.
Question Key
1. What does “Be there or be square” mean?
A) You must draw a square shape
B) Come to the event or you’ll miss out
C) Don’t talk to others
2. What does “Back to square one” mean?
A) You win something big
B) You start from the beginning
C) You join a new team
3. If someone is “a square peg in a round hole,” they are:
A) A person who always wins
B) A person who doesn’t fit in
C) A person who teaches others
4. What does “Fair and square” mean?
A) Done in a sneaky way
B) Done by cheating
C) Done honestly and fairly
5. What does “Square away” mean?
A) Hide your things
B) Finish or organize something
C) Call someone on the phone
6. If someone “squares up,” what are they doing?
A) They’re getting ready to fight or pay
B) They are lying about money
C) They are quitting the game
7. What does “Square deal” mean?
A) A deal with shapes
B) A fair and honest deal
C) A secret agreement
8. What does “Square off” mean?
A) Get ready to fight or compete
B) Take a break
C) Sit quietly and read
9. What does “On the square” mean?
A) Acting silly
B) Being honest
C) Playing a game
10. If someone “gets square with” someone else, what does it mean?
A) They borrow something
B) They try to get even or pay back
C) They move to a new town
Answer Key
- B – Come to the event or you’ll miss out
- B – You start from the beginning
- B – A person who doesn’t fit in
- C – Done honestly and fairly
- B – Finish or organize something
- A – They’re getting ready to fight or pay
- B – A fair and honest deal
- A – Get ready to fight or compete
- B – Being honest
- B – They try to get even or pay back
Wrapping Up
Idioms with the word “square” have been around for years in American talk. They’re part of how people share ideas quickly and in fun ways. From being honest to fitting in, these idioms help tell stories in daily life.
If you live in the USA, you’ll hear these expressions in schools, sports, movies, and even at dinner tables. Learning them makes your speech smoother and more interesting. Try using a few next time you talk—it might help you sound more natural and confident.
