Square expressions

Square

An open area in the middle of a town.
eg: The Dam Square in Amsterdam is a bustling commercial hub.

Be back to square one

To be back in the same situation from which you started with no progress.
eg: His shop was burnt down so his business is back to square one.

A square

An old-fashioned person who is not interested in the latest styles or music.
eg: The girls found Keith boring because he is a square.

Square somebody

To pay somebody to do what you want.
eg: We have to square the driver extra fare for waiting twenty minutes.

Square your shoulders

Push back your shoulders while keeping your back straight to show your determination.
eg: He squared his shoulders and walked into the squash court with confidence.

Adapted from: Mind Our English, Star2 Tuesday 5 February 2013

Round Expressions

Enough to go around

Enough for everyone
eg: Are there enough drinks to go around?

Round the corner

Not far away
eg: There is a bakery round the corner

Round the clock

24 hours - both day and night
eg: The 7-eleven shop is open round the clock.

Rounds

Visits that someone makes regularly as part of his/her job.
eg: The physician is out on his morning rounds now.

Round of applause

Period when people are clapping to show they enjoy a performance.
eg: There was a thunderous round of applause with whistles and shouts at the end of the concert.

Daily round

Things you have to do every day.
eg: My daily round of cooking, washing and cleaning keeps me busy for hours.

Round table

A round table discussion or meeting is one in which everyone can talk about things in an equal way.
eg: The rulers had a round table conference to discuss the latest laws.

Round robin

A competition in which every player or team plays against each of the other players or teams.
eg: Many football matches are first held on a round robin basis within groups before the later knock-out stages.

Round trip

A journey to a place and back
eg: The round trip to Emerald Bay takes about two hours.

Roundup

A roundup of people means they are captured or arrested by the police and brought to one place
eg: Every now and then there is a roundup of drug addicts on the streets in certain seedy areas.


Adapted from: Mind Our English Star2 Tuesday 5 February 2013