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square deal

square deal

2 3.7
Fair and honest treatment of people in a situation or agreement
  • noun
  • /skwɛr diːl/
translation icon : trato justo
  • She made sure that every employee received a square deal during the negotiations.
  • called for a square deal

Examples

  • But you'll get a square deal.

  • There, that's a square deal.

  • I'm just asking for a square deal, that's all.

  • Everyone deserves a fair and honest square deal in any business transaction.

  • He fought tirelessly for a square deal that would benefit both sides.

Synonyms

fair shake
vssquare deal
  • Informal
16 6.0

An equal chance to succeed and be treated the same as others

focuses on honest and ongoing treatment rather than a single opportunity
fair deal
vssquare deal
10 2.8

Treatment that is just and equal for everyone

is centered on honest behavior toward people in agreements
good horsetrade
vssquare deal
7.1

A fair deal where both sides get something they want

focuses on honest treatment of people rather than trade terms

Surface Forms

square deal singular
square deals plural

Morphology

square + deal

The meaning 'fair and honest treatment/agreement' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'square' (fair, honest) with 'deal' (an agreement/transaction). This adjective+noun composition follows ordinary English semantics and parallels patterns in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand the expression.

Etymology

Square deal may come from the old sense of square meaning 'even' or honest and deal meaning an agreement. Imagine a trade that is perfectly even for both people, and you can see why square deal means 'fair and honest' treatment.