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The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms » on the square
on the square
on the square idiom
Honestly 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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