Quick answer: “Level the Playing Field” means to create equal conditions or opportunities for everyone involved.
Level the playing field — to create a situation of equal conditions and opportunities for all participants; to remove unfair advantages that some people or groups have over others.
Origin & History
The idiom comes directly from sport. In the early days of organised football and cricket, pitches were often laid on uneven ground, giving one team a physical advantage when playing from the higher end. Making the pitch level — "levelling the playing field" — removed that advantage and made the contest fairer.
The metaphorical use became established in business and politics during the 20th century. It is now one of the most common idioms in policy discussions, used to argue for regulation, subsidies, education funding, or any measure designed to reduce structural inequality between competitors or social groups. Figurative expressions of this kind are the sort of entry catalogued by major reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary, which track how idiomatic meanings develop and spread.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The new funding scheme aims to level the playing field for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. | Education policy |
| Free trade agreements are supposed to level the playing field for smaller businesses. | International trade |
| Technology has levelled the playing field — small companies can now compete with corporations online. | Digital business |
| The new regulations were introduced to level the playing field between domestic and foreign manufacturers. | Industry regulation |
| Universal free childcare would level the playing field for working parents. | Social policy |
| She argued that name-blind job applications help level the playing field for minority candidates. | Workplace equality |
Use It in Conversation
Dialogue Example
Kenji: It doesn't seem fair that some schools have much better resources than others.
Beth: Exactly — that's why I support the proposal to increase central funding. We need to level the playing field so every child has the same chance.
Kenji: I couldn't agree more. Talent shouldn't depend on postcode.
How to Use It
This idiom is typically used as a verb phrase: "level the playing field", "levelled the playing field", "levelling the playing field". It often appears in policy arguments, competitive business contexts, and discussions of social equality. The noun form "a level playing field" is also very common: "We need a level playing field before the competition begins."
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
We need to level the play field for all applicants.
We need to level the playing field for all applicants. — It is "playing field" (not "play field").
The law will flatten the playing field.
The law will level the playing field. — The correct verb is "level", not "flatten" or "even out" in this fixed idiom.
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
Want to understand the grammar behind this? Explore our Grammar guides.
Quick Check: Level the Playing Field
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Level the Playing Field” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “The new funding scheme aims to _____ for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "level the playing field" mean?
"Level the playing field" means to create equal conditions for all participants, removing unfair advantages that some people or groups have over others. It is about fairness and equality of opportunity.
Where does "level the playing field" come from?
The idiom comes from sport. A playing field that is not flat gives an advantage to the team playing on the higher side. Levelling it removes that physical advantage. The figurative use emerged in business and politics during the 20th century.
Can you give an example of "level the playing field" in a sentence?
Example: "The new funding scheme aims to level the playing field for students from disadvantaged backgrounds." It signals that the policy is designed to remove an existing inequality.
Is "level the playing field" formal or informal?
The idiom is neutral to slightly formal. It is very common in political speeches, business commentary, journalism, and policy documents. It is also used in everyday conversation.
What CEFR level is "level the playing field"?
This idiom is typically introduced at B2 (Upper-Intermediate) level. It is frequently encountered in news media, business writing, and political discourse.
What are common mistakes with "level the playing field"?
A common error is saying "level the play field" — the correct form is "playing field". Also avoid saying "even the playing field", which is less standard in British English.
What idioms are similar to "level the playing field"?
Similar expressions include "a fair crack of the whip" (a fair opportunity), "even the odds" (reduce an imbalance), and "give everyone an equal chance".
How do I practise idioms like "level the playing field"?
Try LexFizz's Flip Tiles and Flash Cards. Write sentences about education policy, workplace equality, or business competition to practise the idiom in context.
Can "level the playing field" be used in writing?
Yes. It is especially common in policy documents, opinion journalism, business reports, and academic essays discussing inequality, competition, or regulation.
Is "level the playing field" used the same way in British and American English?
Yes, the idiom is used identically in both varieties of English. It is particularly common in political and business language on both sides of the Atlantic.