Square Go

Square Go (noun phrase / UK Slang)

(Also heard as: Square go, Gie it a square go, Square up)

Definition:

A square go is a fair, one-on-one fist fight with no weapons and no mates piling in. It can also be the challenge itself: asking someone to settle things the straight way.

Where Square Go Comes From:

It is Scottish slang, where “square” means fair and honest and “go” means an attempt or a bout. The idea is a straight fight with a clean finish, win or lose.

How People Actually Use Square Go:

You hear it as a challenge (“do you want a square go?”), but it is just as often used jokingly, or to describe a fight that was fought fairly. It is common across Scotland and has spread through the rest of the UK.

Is Square Go Rude?

It is a challenge to fight, so it is not polite and can make things worse if said seriously. Between mates it is usually a joke.

Examples in the Wild:

• “Come on then, I’ll gie you a square go behind the chippy.”Meaning: I will fight you fairly, one on one.
• “He wanted a square go, but his pals talked him out of it.”Meaning: He wanted a fair fist fight, but they stopped him.
• “Nobody has a square go any more, it is all phone videos.”Meaning: People rarely settle fights face to face now.

Similar Slang:

Scrap, Barney, Argy-Bargy, Beef

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