even up
B1 neutral separable both
In simple words
To make things equal so nobody has more than the other.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To make a score or competition equal after one side has been ahead.
"They scored a goal in the second half to even up the match at 2–2."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To make two amounts, groups, or sides equal by adding or redistributing.
"We need one more person on your team to even things up."
Grammar: separable
3 B2 informal
To settle a financial debt or obligation so that neither party owes the other.
"Here's the twenty pounds I owe you — that should even us up."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Often used in sports contexts to describe equalizing a score. Also used when settling debts or balancing two unequal things. More focused on equality at a point in time than 'even out.'
Commonly used with
score odds chances match debt teams
Forms
Base
even up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
evens up
he/she/it
Past simple
evened up
yesterday
Past participle
evened up
have + pp
-ing form
evening up
continuous
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