'fair and SQUARE' :)

[Tamara]

Hi

square – the word of so many context-dependent meanings…
I'd like to learn some. Could you help me?

[four-]square – to characterize a person as honest and open (also I found straight arrow for that)
OR (in youth slang) - "A person who has spent most of his/her life dedicating their life to schoolwork and achieving grades of A and above." :)

all square – often use in sport
keep it square = something like 'say the truth directly and openly, be honest' (as far as I understood it :) )
be square with smb. – to reckon roundly with smb. (e.g, with a traitor :)), to be quits, even up on
…

But I need a little extra explanation for the expression call it square!

My dictionary says that call it square[!] is an idiomatic expression (but I failed to find an 'eatable' definition in an online Idiom Dictionary).

Particular examples of its use allow six (!) a bit different interpretations /meanings - in the range
from 'reconcile yourself with (unpleasant) terms'
through 'it's all arranged!' and 'we're quits now' :)
to 'all is well!' and 'no hard feelings!'

Hmm…

How can I understand (select :)) the (correct) meaning of the phrase in a particular context?

For example, let's suppose that the expression had been used as the final phrase in an informal talk about possible cooperative work or activity (but by some reasons being now delayed to start).
?

Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

Here's how I would understand it:

If I said "Let's call it square", the situation might be that I owed someone something, then I gave the person something of about the same value (or did something for the other person) and now I'm suggesting that I see everything as even.

For example, a couple weeks ago I borrowed $10 from Nancy. Today I paid for Nancy's lunch and the meal cost around $10. I didn't actually give Nancy her money back, instead I paid for her lunch. When we call it square, that means we agree that I don't owe Nancy the $10 anymore.

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

My contribution;

a square meal is a properly balanced meal in contrast to a snack

a square deal is when both sides in an agreement are satisfied

to square the circle is trying to do the impossible

some years ago square was a word describing somebody who was very unfashionable and oldfashioned

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Tamara]

Yes, Amy, thank you.
The situation seems the same as used on http://bits.westhost.com/idioms/id106.htm

("I bought the pizza; you bought the beer. Let's call it square.")

But what about

"We're having a party at 7 on Saturday. Be there or be square!"
http://bits.westhost.com/idioms/id64.htm
- with the following interpretation of the meaning
if you do not come we will think you are(?) call it square
?
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Tamara]

Hi Alan

Thank you for your contribution.
Especially for to square the circle :)

The more I learn your language on my own will, the more I like it. Really!

Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

[Tamara]

Amy, I know that this is another idiom.
I only meant that the interpretation of its meaning, given by using 'call it square', is rather strange for me.

I don't understand the meaning of 'call it square' here !
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

.
By the way, you can also "square off against somone" (oppose directly) :D
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Yankee]

[Tamara]

[Tamara]

Hi

1. square-toed

My dictionary allows two (different) meanings:
- old-fashioned, out-of-date , conservative =

[Yankee]

[Tamara]

Hi Amy
Thank you for the explanation.

Can I ask a bit more?
Now, when I've googled just with square one (without back to), I can see that it’s quite popular name for different shopping centers, restaurants, etc.
And I can understand the reason ("square number one" = the very beginning, starting point, something basic, true, initial, etc. - implicitly. Right?)

In this context can I imply that back to square one might be (also) understood as 'returning to background, origins' – or something the like. Some attractive meaning, I mean. :)
Not?

This is just my current thought, nothing more. (Just in case :) )

Tamara
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]