square off

verb

squared off; squaring off; squares off

intransitive verb

1

: to take a fighting stance : prepare to fight

also : to fight or argue

squared off in a debate

2

: to compete in a contest

The two teams squared off for the championship.

transitive verb

: to make square : to give (something) straight edges, flat surfaces, or sharp, even corners

Examples of square off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Getting a deal done would arguably be even more difficult for Buffalo given that the Bills and Dolphins play in the same division (AFC East) and square off twice every regular season. —Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

Intensity percolates around romance and creative pursuits when the sun squares off with Pluto. —Usa Today, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

For 40 minutes, the man squared off against the machine, discussing issues like the minimum wage, electric vehicles and education policy. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025

The two teams will square off at noon in a match that will air nationally on ESPN. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for square off

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff