Definition of the word square away

The term "square away" originated from naval slang during the 19th century, specifically as part of the nautical phrase "square your yardarms," which referred to preparing a ship's masts and sails for battle by making sure they were aligned in a specific way. The origin of the term "yardarm" is unclear, as there are multiple theories as to its origin. One theory is that it comes from the Dutch word "jardemast," meaning "garden mast," which relates to how gardeners would dispose of tree trunks by hanging them from masts. Another theory is that it comes from the Dutch word "joerd," meaning "oar," as the arms would have been shaped like oars. Regardless of the origin of yardarms, by the 19th century, the phrase "square your yardarms" was commonly used to mean preparing for battle. Over time, the phrase was shortened to the more familiar "square away," which came to mean getting ready or organizing oneself in a specific way. Interestingly, the term "square away" has been adopted by non-nautical contexts as well, often used to signify being fully prepared or organized in various situations, such as flight operations or emergency response drills. Its usage has expanded beyond its original naval context, reflecting the term's versatility and adaptability over time.