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square peg in a round hole

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square   (skwâr)   
n.  

  1. A plane figure having four equal sides.

  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.

    1. 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.

    2. A rectangular space enclosed by streets and occupied by buildings; a block.

  7. Slang A person who is regarded as dull, rigidly conventional, and out of touch with current trends.

  8. Slang A square meal. Often used in the plural: three squares a day.

adj.   squar·er, squar·est

  1. Having four equal sides and four right angles.

  2. Forming a right angle.

    1. Abbr. sq. Expressed in units measuring area: square feet.

    2. Having a specified length in each of two equal dimensions: a room that is 12 feet square.

  4. Having a base that is a square: a square pyramid.

  5. Nautical Set at right angles to the mast and keel. Used of the yards of a square-rigged ship.

  6. Approximately rectangular and equilateral in cross section: a square house.

  7. Characterized by blocklike solidity or sturdiness.

  8. Honest; direct: a square answer.

  9. Just; equitable: a square deal.

  10. Having all accounts settled; even.

  11. Sports Even; tied.

  12. Slang Rigidly conventional; dull.

v.   squared, squar·ing, squares

v.   tr.

  1. To cut to a square or rectangular shape.

  2. To test for conformity to a desired plane, straight line, or right angle.

  3. To mark into squares. Often used with off.

    1. To bring into conformity or agreement: She could not square the request with her principles.

    2. To bring (oneself) into a better position or relation: He tried to square himself with his parents.

    3. To raise (a number or quantity) to the second power.

    4. To find a square equal in area to (the area of a given figure).

  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

    1. To raise (a number or quantity) to the second power.

    2. 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.

  6. Nautical To square the yards of a sailing vessel.

  7. To put away or in order.

Phrasal Verb(s):
square away

  1. Nautical To square the yards of a sailing vessel.

  2. To put away or in order.

square offTo assume a fighting stance; prepare to fight.
square upTo settle a bill or debt.

Idiom(s):
on the square

  1. Mathematics At right angles.

  2. Honestly and openly: has always dealt on the square.


Idiom(s):
out of square

  1. Mathematics Not at exact right angles.

  2. Not in agreement.


Idiom(s):
square peg in a round hole Informal A misfit.

[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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
square peg (in a round hole)

  1. n.
    someone who does not fit in. : I'm a square peg in a round hole. Maybe I am meant to be eccentric.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Idioms & Phrases

square peg in a round hole

Also, round peg in a square hole. A misfit, especially a person unsuited for a position or activity. For example, Ruth doesn't have the finesse for this job; she's a round peg in a square hole. This idiom, with its graphic image of something that cannot fit, dates from about 1800.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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