level (redirected from leveling)

(strictly) on the level

honest; dependably open and fair. How can I be sure you're on the level? You can trust Sally. She's strictly on the level.

someone's level best

one's very best effort. I will do my level best to find your husband. Don't go to a whole lot of trouble. Your level best is good enough.

See also: best

at sea level

at the level of the surface of the ocean. It is easier to breathe at sea level than in the mountains. Boats on the ocean are at sea level, but those on rivers are not.

See also: sea

find one's own level

Fig. to find the position or rank to which one is best suited. You cannot force new clerks to be ambitious. They will all find their own level. The new student is happier in the beginning class. It was just a question of letting her find her own level.

See also: find

level something at someone or something

to direct something at someone or something; to aim a remark at someone. The sheriff leveled his rifle at the fleeing bandit. Why did you think you had to level that barrage of words at me? I didn't make the problem. Sam leveled an acid comment or two at the committee.

level something down

to make something level or smooth. The soil is very uneven in this part of the garden. Would you please level it down? The huge earth-moving machines leveled the hill down in preparation for the building of the highway.

level something off

to make something level or smooth. You are going to have to level the floor off before you put the carpet down. Please level off the floor.

level something out

to cause something to assume a more level course or path. Level this path out before you open it to the public. They have to level out this roadway.

See also: out

level something to the ground

to crush or demolish something down to the ground. They were forced to level the building to the ground, because they could not afford to maintain it. The house was leveled to the ground by the tornado.

See also: ground

level something up

to move something into a level or plumb position. Use a piece of wood under the table's leg to level it up. I will level up the table.

See also: up

level a charge against someone

Fig. to place a charge against someone; to accuse someone of something. The neighbors leveled a disturbance of the peace charge against us. The cops leveled an assault charge against Max.

See also: against, charge

level off

[for variation or fluctuation in the motion of something] to diminish; [for a rate] to stop increasing or decreasing. The plane leveled off at 10,000 feet. After a while the workload will level off. Things will level off after we get through the end of the month.

level out

[for something that was going up and down] to assume a more level course or path. The road leveled out after a while and driving was easier. As we got down into the valley, the land leveled out and traveling was easier.

See also: out

level playing field

Fig. a situation that is fair to all; a situation where everyone has the same opportunity. If we started off with a level playing field, everyone would have an equal chance.

See also: field, play

level the (playing) field

Fig. to create a state where everyone has the same opportunity. (See also a level playing field.) Let's level the playing field and give everyone a chance.

See also: field

level with someone (about someone or something)

Fig. to be straightforward with someone about something; to be sincere or truthful about someone or something. The police encouraged the criminal to level with them about the crime. Level with me, and tell me what you thought of my cake.

lower oneself to some level

Fig. to bring oneself down to some lower level of behavior. I refuse to lower myself to your level. Has TV news lowered itself to the level of the tabloids?

See also: lower, oneself, some

on the level

honest; straightforward. Come on now, on the level, tell me the truth. Is the ad on the level?

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a level playing field

a fair situation There are calls for less restrictive laws in order to allow them to compete on a level playing field (= in a way that is fair) with other financial institutions.

See also: field, play

be level pegging  (British & Australian)

if two people or groups who are competing in a race or election are level pegging, they are equal and it is not certain who will win With three weeks to go to the election, Labour and the Alliance are still level pegging.

See also: peg

be on the level  (old-fashioned)

to be honest or true The offer seems too good to be true. Are you quite sure the man's on the level?

do your level best

to try very hard to do something (often + to do sth) Tickets are quite hard to come by but I'll do my level best to get you one.

See also: best

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level off

to stop increasing or being reduced The price of gas has finally leveled off after going up for several months. Television ratings had leveled off and then dropped slightly.

level the playing field

to give everyone the same advantages or opportunities It was an effort to level the playing field and achieve greater equality between the sexes. Government funding can level the playing field for political candidates without money.

Related vocabulary: have a fighting chance

Etymology: based on a comparison with a sports competition played on a field that is not level, putting one side at a disadvantage

See also: field, play

level with somebody

to tell someone the truth If our leaders don't level with us, we lose faith in our government.

Usage notes: usually said about information that may be unpleasant

on the level

honest or true We are there when the inspections are done, so we know that everything is on the level.