square off

S

sausalito_sf

New Member

Japanese

I've heard the expression of "squaring off" from NPR news.
The topic was about a dispute between Amazon.com and self-publishers.
I couldn't exactly understand what did that phrasal verb mean.
I searched a dictionary and read that it was related to "fight".
But I'm still confused.
Please, show me some exact sentences using "square off". Thank you.

P

Parla

Member Emeritus

New York City

English - US

Welcome to the forum. 👁 Smile :)

Please tell us the full sentence in which you saw the expression; that way, we'll be able to explain its use to you..

W

Wordnip

Senior Member

Western Australia

British English

I presume that this term is being used metaphorically and relates the dispute or confrontation between the parties to the square battle formations of Roman and other armies (troops) of old.

L

LesStrater

Senior Member

Chicago

English - American

It means two opposing (or competing) forces that are directly facing each other. Other idioms with the same meaning would be facing each other "head to head" or going "toe to toe".
The two heavy-weight fighters squared off in the center of the ring.

S

sausalito_sf

New Member

Japanese

Thank you, LesStrater.
Now I understand. 👁 Smile :)

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