It's a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot water.-Franklin P. Jones

How does one "square" a shoulder?



I've seen the phrase lots of times in books. "He squared his shoulders and walked through the door."



Does it mean pulling them up, dropping them down, or just standing up straight and facing forward? 'Cause if it's that last one it's been my experience that upright and forward facing is the easiest way to go through a door, seems kinda redundant.



While we're on the subject, how do you "firm" a jaw? "With jaw firmed he set forth."



Or "set" lips?



I think writers are making this stuff up....which I suppose is their job.