square meal

back to square one

Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

make a meal of

To spend more time and energy on some task than it warrants; to make something overly complicated; to make a big thing out of.

meal ticket

Someone or something that provides income or livelihood, especially as an exploited source.

square away

To finish, complete, tidy or put in order.

square on

accurately, correctly.

square one

The place where one begins; a lack of progress.

square peg in a round hole

Someone or something that does not fit well or at all in a certain setting; a misfit; hence, someone or something that will not succeed in an endeavour, except possibly with much effort and force.

square shooter

A person who is fair, trustworthy, or forthright; a person who bargains or transacts business in a fair, honest manner.