释义 |
on the square
square S0681700 (skwâr)n.1. A polygon having four equal sides and four equal angles.2. Something having an equal-sided rectangular form: a square of cloth.3. A T-shaped or L-shaped instrument for drawing or testing right angles.4. Mathematics The product obtained when a number or quantity is multiplied by itself: 49 is the square of 7.5. Games Any of the quadrilateral spaces on a board, as in chess.6. a. Abbr. Sq. An open, usually four-sided area at the intersection of two or more streets, often planted with grass and trees for use as a park.b. A rectangular space enclosed by streets and occupied by buildings; a block.7. The flower bud of a cotton plant, with three bracts surrounding the unopened flower in a pyramidal structure.8. Slang A person who is regarded as dull, rigidly conventional, and out of touch with current trends.adj. squar·er, squar·est 1. Having four equal sides and four right angles.2. Forming a right angle.3. In alignment or flush: Put the paper square with the edge of the desk.4. a. Abbr. sq. Expressed in units measuring area: square feet.b. Having a specified length in each of two equal dimensions: a room that is 12 feet square.5. Having a base that is a square: a square pyramid.6. Nautical Set at right angles to the mast and keel. Used of the yards of a square-rigged ship.7. Approximately rectangular and equilateral in cross section: a square house.8. Characterized by blocklike solidity or sturdiness.9. Honest; direct: a square answer.10. Just; equitable: a square deal.11. Having all accounts settled; even: I paid what I owed you, so we're square.12. Sports Even; tied.13. Slang Rigidly conventional; dull.v. squared, squar·ing, squares v.tr.1. To cut to a square or rectangular shape. Often used with off.2. To test or adjust for conformity to a desired plane, straight line, or right angle.3. To mark into squares. Often used with off.4. a. To bring into conformity or agreement: She could not square the request with her principles.b. To bring (oneself) into a better position or relation: He tried to square himself with his parents.5. To set straight or at approximate right angles: square one's cap.6. To bring into balance; settle: square a debt.7. Sports To even the score of: to square a game.8. Mathematics a. To raise (a number or quantity) to the second power.b. To find a square equal in area to (the area of a given figure).9. Informal To bribe or fix: a party in litigation that tried to square the judge.v.intr.1. Mathematics To be at right angles.2. To agree or conform: a story that doesn't square with the facts.adv.1. Mathematics At right angles.2. In a square shape.3. In a solid manner; firmly.4. Directly; straight: ran square into each other.5. In an honest, straightforward manner.Phrasal Verbs: square away1. Nautical To square the yards of a sailing vessel.2. To put away or in order. square off To assume a fighting stance; prepare to fight. square up To settle a bill or debt.Idioms: on the square1. Mathematics At right angles.2. Honestly and openly: has always dealt on the square. out of square1. Mathematics Not at exact right angles.2. Not in agreement. square peg in a round hole Informal A misfit. three squares a day Informal Three square meals eaten in a day. [Middle English, from Old French esquarre, from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from *exquadrāre, to square : Latin ex-, ex- + quadrāre, to give a square shape to (from quadrum, a square; see kwetwer- in Indo-European roots).] square′ness n.squar′er n.on the square
on the square1. Candidly honest or transparent; fair and straightforward; correct or in agreement. I know everyone distrusts car mechanics, but I feel like the guy I go to has always been on the square with me.2. Literally, at or forming right angles (as or of a square). Make sure the foundation is laid out on the square before you pour the concrete.See also: on, squareon the squareHonestly and openly, as in Our dealings with them have always been on the square. This expression literally means "at right angles." Similarly the antonym out of square, literally signifying "not at right angles," figuratively means "not in agreement" or "irregular." For example, The lab's report is out of square with the x-ray. The first recorded use of this term was in 1542. See also: on, squareon the square mainly AMERICANIf someone is on the square, they are being totally honest with you. No one knows for sure who is, and who is not, on the square. Note: This expression probably comes from the use of a square, a measuring device used to check that a right angle is completely accurate. See also: on, squareon the square 1 honest; straightforward. 2 having membership of the Freemasons. 2 1997 Guardian One non-Masonic officer…claims he was moved sideways… and subsequently he discovered that the corrupt officers and the commander were all ‘on the square’. See also: on, square on the square1. Mathematics At right angles.2. Honestly and openly: has always dealt on the square.See also: on, squareEncyclopediaSeesquareFinancialSeeSquareAcronymsSeeOTS |