Phrasal verb
square up
Definition
phrasal verb. to get into a fighting position or prepare to argue with someone. You can also use it to mean paying a debt so that you owe nothing.
phrasal verb. to assume a combative stance in preparation for a physical or verbal confrontation; also functions as a financial idiom meaning to settle an outstanding account or debt.
Examples
“The two players squared up after the hard tackle.”
“After the argument escalated, he squared up to his rival, but their friends quickly pulled them apart.”
“The company finally squared up with its creditors to avoid a lengthy and expensive legal battle over the unpaid invoices.”
Examples
simple
“The two players squared up after the hard tackle.”
contextual
“After the argument escalated, he squared up to his rival, but their friends quickly pulled them apart.”
complex
“The company finally squared up with its creditors to avoid a lengthy and expensive legal battle over the unpaid invoices.”
Usage
In a physical context, it often takes the preposition 'to'; in a financial context, it usually takes 'with'.
Teaching tip
Help students distinguish between the physical sense (confrontation) and the financial sense (settling up) by looking at the accompanying preposition.
Pitfall
He squared up his debt to me.
He squared up with me.
When settling a debt with a person, the phrasal verb typically requires 'with' before the person, rather than taking the debt as a direct object in this specific construction.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
square + up (+ to/with + 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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