level down
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To make something better become as low or weak as something worse.
Literal meaning: To flatten or bring a surface down to a lower elevation.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
neutral
To reduce standards, salaries, or quality so that they match a lower level rather than raising lower ones up.
"Critics warned that the new trade deal would level down workers' protections across the region."
Grammar: separable
2 C1 informal
In gaming, to reduce a character's level or statistics (less common usage).
"The developers decided to level down all characters after the update to rebalance the game."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Often used in economic or political contexts, particularly regarding wages, benefits, or standards. Frequently appears in the phrase 'race to the bottom' discussions. The opposite of 'level up'.
Commonly used with
wages standards quality benefits conditions expectations
Forms
Base
level down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
levels down
he/she/it
Past simple
leveled down
yesterday
Past participle
leveled down
have + pp
-ing form
leveling down
continuous
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