be even Steven(s)
slang
1. To have no outstanding debt between one another. All right, here's the $10 I owe you—now we're even Stevens. If you can't pay me back, just buy me dinner this Friday. Then, we'll be even Stevens. Look, if you just help me get this job, we'll be even Steven, OK?
2. To be completely equal. As a parent, you've got to always make sure things are even Steven between your kids, or they'll get horribly jealous of each other. Come on now, those pieces of cake are even Stevens! I don't want to hear any whining—you two both got the same amount of presents. You're even Stevens.
even Steven
slang Equal in something, especially after repaying a debt. All right, here's the $10 I owe you—now we're even Steven. If you can't pay me back, just buy me dinner this Friday. Then, we'll be even Steven. Look, if you just help me get this job, we'll be even Steven, OK?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
even Steven
to be even (with someone or something) by having repaid a debt, replied in kind, etc. Bill hit Tom; then Tom hit Bill. Now they are even Steven. Mary paid Ann the $100 she owed her. Ann said, "Good, we are even Steven."
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
even-steven
Exactly equal; also, with nothing due or owed on either side. For example, I've paid it all back, so now we're even-steven. This rhyming phrase is used as an intensive for even. [Mid-1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.