“All square” means that all sides are equal and no one has an advantage. It can be used in business or personal relationships to confirm if a problem has been resolved. It is also used in recreational activities like golf. The phrase “squared off” is similar. It is important to note that not all English dialects use “all square” for general consent.
The English idiomatic term “all square” is generally used to refer to several subjects who are engaged in the same activity, or who have a stake in the same company; it essentially means that all sides are equal and that no side has an advantage. This phrase can be used for almost any business or personal relationship between parties, whether individuals or groups. This phrase has also been used more abstractly, similar to the simple interjection “OK.”
In modern usage, people might use the phrase “all square” not just to talk about the benefit of one party, but to confirm or ask if a problem or issue has been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. For example, a customer who is discussing costs with a supplier or vendor might say that the two are “all square” or ask if the final deal is “all square.” They ask if there is a final consensus and if all issues have been addressed and resolved between the parties.
The idiom “all squared” is often used in a similar way to another very similar phrase “squared”. People who use the term “squared off” also talk about whether a problem has been completely solved or a project has been fully planned or set up. Those involved in engineering or other projects often talk about getting a squared off project. The phrase “all square” can also be substituted in this type of situation.
In some recreational activities, such as golf, the term “all square” is also used. This can refer to a situation where multiple players have the same score or are tied. Here is a literal application of the idea that no one player has an advantage over the other.
It is important to note that using “all square” for general consent purposes is something that is only done in some dialects of English. Other speakers might favor the use of phases like “okay” or “all set,” or even just “good,” as well as more flowery ones like “kopasetic,” all of which can have the same effect, whether in a question or a declaration. Those living in various parts of America, the UK, or other English-speaking countries may or may not hear this phrase used commonly.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN