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square off. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
square off, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
square off in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
square off you have here. The definition of the word
square off will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
square off, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Verb
square off (third-person singular simple present squares off, present participle squaring off, simple past and past participle squared off)
- (Canada, US) To get ready for a confrontation (debate, argument, fight).
- Synonym: square up
- Antonym: stand down
1984, Daniel Petrie Jr., Beverly Hills Cop, spoken by Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy), Paramount Pictures:Hey, man, don't square off on me with some bullshit.
2019 October 18, Thomas Meaney, “When James Baldwin Squared Off Against William F. Buckley Jr.”, in New York Times:When James Baldwin Squared Off Against William F. Buckley Jr. [title]
2023 September 7, “US, China square off on the South China Sea as Indonesia urges leaders to maintain peace”, in CNA:
- (industrial design) To increase the boxiness of (a design).
- Antonym: round off
After the aeronautically inspired curvaceous designs of the 1930s and 1940s, many American automotive designs of the 1950s through 1970s were somewhat more squared off.
Further reading