# square up

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/square-up
Updated: 2026-10-23

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He squared up his debt to me." but "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.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.