to square up on (somebody)

English translation: to take a confrontational stance towards another

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:to square up on (somebody)
Selected answer:to take a confrontational stance towards another
Entered by: Rafael Mantovani

22:37 Apr 16, 2015
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Slang
English term or phrase: to square up on (somebody)
I'm translating a novel set in L.A. in the 1990's. To 'square up' seems to be some kind of gesture here, something physical you do to someone, but I have no idea how to understand that, not even sure it's a slang but I didn't find a suitable definition anywhere.
I've found definitions of 'square up' meaning 'to pay a bill, settle an account', but I can't see how that makes sense in my scene , it's a description of a short physical confrontation between two guys who had been arguing:

"Tito grabs my arm. When he does that, I rip it out of his weak grip and SQUARE UP ON HIM. Then my friend Jeff, who'd been waiting on the curb, steps to and I think about cutting Tito's head with an axe (...)"

Can anyone explain that to me?
Thanks a lot
Rafael Mantovani
Germany
Local time: 15:32
to take a confrontational stance towards another
Explanation:
That's the exact definition given in a book called Street Talk: Da Official Guide to Hip-Hop and Urban Slanguage
https://books.google.com/books?id=VZ68AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT382&lpg=...
Selected response from:

Sheri P
United States
Local time: 10:32
Grading comment
I think that's it in my context. The guys don't fight, they just sort of look macho to each other, "showing plumage" is exactly what it is! Thanks to everyone who helped.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +5get in the fighting position
Darius Saczuk
4 +4stand up to/get ready to fight
Yvonne Gallagher
4 +3to take a confrontational stance towards another
Sheri P


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
get in the fighting position


Explanation:
P

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Note added at 7 mins (2015-04-16 22:44:26 GMT)
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or: GET READY FOR A FIGHT.

Darius Saczuk
United States
Local time: 10:32
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in PolishPolish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  magdadh: as per: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=square up
2 mins
  -> Thank you, Magda.

agree  Charles Davis: Square as in face to face, I presume
4 mins
  -> Most definitely. Thank you, Charles.

neutral  Cilian O'Tuama: sounds too fisticuffs to me
29 mins
  -> That's what we are dealing with here.

agree  Tushar Deep
3 hrs

agree  Ghyslaine LE NAGARD
8 hrs

agree  Phong Le
10 hrs
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
to take a confrontational stance towards another


Explanation:
That's the exact definition given in a book called Street Talk: Da Official Guide to Hip-Hop and Urban Slanguage
https://books.google.com/books?id=VZ68AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT382&lpg=...

Sheri P
United States
Local time: 10:32
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
I think that's it in my context. The guys don't fight, they just sort of look macho to each other, "showing plumage" is exactly what it is! Thanks to everyone who helped.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Davis: Snap!
1 min
  -> Thank you, Charles. Just saw your post in the Disc Box!

agree  Cilian O'Tuama: tentative agree: showing plumage // changing from neutral to agree
29 mins
  -> Thanks!

agree  Ghyslaine LE NAGARD
8 hrs
  -> Thanks, Ghyslaine!
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
stand up to/get ready to fight


Explanation:
I'm not sure I've seen "square up ON" before but think in context it must be square up TO =stand up to/ get ready to fight /defend yourself/not be afraid of someone


http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=square up

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Note added at 8 mins (2015-04-16 22:45:46 GMT)
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http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-thesauru...

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Note added at 9 mins (2015-04-16 22:46:12 GMT)
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http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2281192

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Note added at 9 mins (2015-04-16 22:46:57 GMT)
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http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/square-up

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Note added at 10 mins (2015-04-16 22:47:42 GMT)
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well, I see you've had several answers now...

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 14:32
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Davis: Correct too! Despite Cilian's misgivings, this is pretty clearly about imminent mayhem, I think. // Nope, but you know what the Americans are like with their prepositions...
34 mins
  -> Thanks Charles. Have you seen "square up ON"?//:-)

neutral  Cilian O'Tuama: IMO it's not about getting ready to fight, just about showing your opponent what he'd have to contend with.
41 mins
  -> ....

agree  Jack Doughty: No, I've only ever seen "square up TO".
6 hrs
  -> Thanks Jack. Have you seen "square up ON"?//:-)

agree  Ghyslaine LE NAGARD
8 hrs
  -> Thanks Ghyslaine

agree  Piyush Ojha: Yes, 'square up tp'. Never heard 'square up on'.
11 hrs
  -> Many thanks:-)
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