square away
Put in order
Square away means to put in order, organize, or settle.
The phrase comes from nautical usage—squaring the sails and yards for sailing.
Now it applies broadly to any task of getting things organized or resolved: Let me square away these bills before we leave, We need to square away the details of the contract.
In military contexts, it often means to get someone or something into proper condition: The sergeant squared away the new recruits.
Orderly and neat
- deckShip's flat surface
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- sailsWind-catching boat fabric
- stowPack away securely
batten · berth · mooring · gangway · galley · quartermaster · bosun · seamanship
Place methodically
- neatenMake orderly
- tidyFree from clutter
- declutterRemove unnecessary items
- straightenMake linear or orderly
sort · file · put in order · clean up · spruce up · set right · shape up · whip into shape
shipshape
Orderly and neat
stow · batten · berth · mooring · gangway · galley · quartermaster · bosun · seamanship · trim
arrange
Place methodically
straighten · sort · file · put in order · clean up · spruce up · set right · shape up · whip into shape · pull together
settle
Reach final terms
clear up · work out · sort out · straighten out · deal with · handle · address · take care of · wrap up · finalize
get ready
Make preparations beforehand
gear up · ready · set up · line up · brief · prep · stage · stand by
square awaymess up
Do badly, err
disorganize · neglect · let slide · disorder · abandon
square awaywing it
Act without preparation
leave to chance · improvise · procrastinate · put off · delay
away, square, squares, squarely, squared, squaring, squareness, square-rigged