“square up”是一个多义动词短语,核心含义围绕“使状态归正、结清或对抗”,具体用法需结合语境判断。以下是最常见的含义、搭配及示例:
指支付应付的费用(尤其分摊账单)或结清债务,强调“两清”。
搭配:
`square up (with sb)`:和某人清账/结账;
`square up for sth`:为某事物(如餐费、门票)结账。
示例:
Let's square up before we leave the café—I'll pay half.(咱们离开咖啡馆前先结账吧,我付一半。)
I owe you $20 for the movie tickets—let me square up with you now.(我欠你20美元电影票钱,现在还给你。)
指身体站直、面向对方,做出战斗或对峙的姿态(字面或比喻)。
搭配:`square up to sb/sth`:面对某人/某事准备对抗。
示例:
The bully squared up to him, but he didn't back down.(恶霸摆好姿势要打他,但他没有退缩。)
She squared up to the problem and found a solution.(她直面问题,找到了解决办法。)
指彻底处理未了结的事,让状态“回归公平/清晰”(引申自“square”的“方正、公平”义)。
示例:
We need to square up this argument—let's talk calmly.(咱们得解决这个争论,冷静谈谈吧。)
The company squared up the dispute with its employees by raising salaries.(公司通过涨薪解决了与员工的争端。)
字面义,指将物体摆方正或整理有序(较少用)。
示例:
Can you square up the plates on the table?(你能把桌上的盘子摆整齐吗?)
及物/不及物:可接宾语(如`square up a debt` 结清债务),也可单独使用(如`Let's square up!` 咱们结账吧!)。
介词搭配:
`with sb`:和某人清账;
`to sb/sth`:面对/对抗某人/事;
`for sth`:为某事结账。
结账:settle the bill, pay up;
对抗:face up to, stand up to;
解决:resolve, sort out。
总结:“square up”是口语中高频短语,最常用场景是分摊账单或清欠,其次是“对抗”或“解决问题”。掌握介词搭配(with/to/for)是区分不同含义的关键~