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."
separable
even up
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To make two sides, amounts, or scores equal, especially after one has been at a disadvantage.
In plain English
To make things equal so nobody has more than the other.
What does "even up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
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."
separable
Usage tip
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.'
Words that pair with "even up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
score odds chances match debt teams
How to conjugate "even up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "even up" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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