level the playing field

Meaning

This expression means to make a situation fair for everyone involved, especially by giving those with less power or fewer advantages the same opportunities as others. It originates from sports, where a flat, even field ensures neither team has an unfair physical advantage. It is commonly used in discussions about competitions, games, business, and social issues.

Examples

• The new tournament rules on gear weight will finally level the playing field for amateur players.

  The new tournament rules on gear weight will finally level the playing field for amateur players.

• Introducing salary caps in the league was designed to level the playing field between rich and poor clubs.

  Introducing salary caps in the league was designed to level the playing field between rich and poor clubs.

• Online streaming has leveled the playing field, allowing independent filmmakers to compete with major studios.

  Online streaming has leveled the playing field, allowing independent filmmakers to compete with major studios.

• Giving all contestants the same preparation time helps level the playing field.

  Giving all contestants the same preparation time helps level the playing field.

• We need to level the playing field so that smaller gaming developers have a chance to showcase their work.

  We need to level the playing field so that smaller gaming developers have a chance to showcase their work.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to make the playing field flat.

  ✓ We need to level the playing field.

  Level is the standard verb used in this idiom. Flat is a literal translation error that sounds unnatural.

• ✗ The new rules leveled the game field.

  ✓ The new rules leveled the playing field.

  The idiom specifically uses playing field, not game field.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The committee introduced a budget cap to ___ for all teams in the championship.

  💡 make the competition fair

  Show answer

  level the playing field

• By offering free training to all participants, the organizers hoped to ___.

  💡 give everyone an equal opportunity

  Show answer

  level the playing field