Phrasal verb
square away
Definition
phrasal verb. to finish a task completely or organize something so it is ready. You use this when you want to say everything is settled and there are no problems left.
phrasal verb. to complete, settle, or put something into proper order. Transitive; frequently used in the passive voice to indicate a state of readiness or completion.
Examples
“We need to square away the budget before the meeting.”
“Once we get the paperwork squared away, we can finally start the construction project next week.”
“The legal team worked through the night to square away the final details of the merger before the markets opened on Monday.”
Examples
simple
“We need to square away the budget before the meeting.”
contextual
“Once we get the paperwork squared away, we can finally start the construction project next week.”
complex
“The legal team worked through the night to square away the final details of the merger before the markets opened on Monday.”
Usage
often used in the passive form ('to be squared away') to describe a state of being fully prepared.
Teaching tip
useful for business English contexts; explain the visual metaphor of making something 'square' (neat, aligned, and stable) to help students remember the meaning of orderliness.
Pitfall
We squared the project away.
We squared away the project.
While technically separable, 'square away' is most commonly used as a unit or in the passive; separating it with a long object can sound unnatural to native speakers.
Phrasal verb
Particles
away
Separability
optional
Pattern
square + away + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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