English Reference
Idiom idiom

three squares


Three square meals, understood as a complete, satisfying, and nourishing regimen of food taken over the course of a day.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He works hard to afford three squares a day.

CONTEXTUAL

After struggling for months, he finally found a steady job that guarantees him three squares.

COMPLEX

The charitable organization focuses on providing the homeless with three squares, ensuring they receive the basic nutrition required for survival.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    back to square one

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

  2. 02

    count to three

    Synonym of count to ten.

  3. 03

    me three

    Used to express agreement, after someone has already said "me too." Can be continued as "me four," "me five," and so on.

  4. 04

    six and two threes

    Two equivalent choices or situations.

  5. 05

    square away

    To finish, complete, tidy or put in order.

  6. 06

    square meal

    A (nutritionally) complete and satisfying meal, especially one suitable for a person performing physical labour.

  7. 07

    square on

    accurately, correctly.

  8. 08

    square one

    The place where one begins; a lack of progress.

Last updated August 10, 2026