level playing field

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

a fair situation in which no one has an unfair advantage

Why this phrase?

From sports: a field with no slope favoring one team.

Example

“Open weights give small teams a more level playing field.”

Dictionary details

Component words

level field

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

play the field Informal · CEFR B2

to date several people without committing to one partner

give someone a run for their money Neutral · CEFR B1

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

a taste of your own medicine Informal · CEFR B2

The same unpleasant treatment that you have given to others.

deep pockets Informal · CEFR B2

having a great deal of money to spend

get the better of Neutral · CEFR B2

to defeat someone or gain control over a person or feeling

gold rush Neutral · CEFR B2

a sudden mass rush to profit from a new opportunity

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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