come up even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come up even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where two parties reach a point of equality or balance, often in terms of finances or scores. Example: "After settling the debts, we managed to come up even."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

That hasn't come up, even when training camp was all atwitter over Twitter.

The New York Times - Sports

The G8 could not come up even with nearer-term goals to cut emissions say, by 2020.

The Economist

Statements of faith are now mandatory in presidential politics, and often come up even in races for very minor offices.

The New York Times

If placed in the ground at the specified depth, they will do their best to come up — even if buried upside down or sideways.

The New York Times

Decades later, after the policy was changed to award the medal to the dead, Lieutenant Cushing's name simply did not come up, even though politically connected soldiers of lesser heroism were honored.

The New York Times

She tweeted that, as inspiring as the rare phenomenon actually is, she'd rather wait for the next one to come up, even though it isn't for another eighteen years.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"In the thousands of communications that took place, the United States never came up even once".

The New Yorker

A-Rod tutored both Cabrera and Robinson Cano when they were coming up, even inviting Cabrera to Miami to work out with him in recent years.

The New York Times - Sports

Moose, seeking the limelight, tries to take over each letter as it comes up, even crossing out words like "ring" and "snake" and substituting "moose" in their stead.

The New York Times - Books

For some, that quandary comes up even before their job actually ends, as the company's bank account heads toward zero and additional financing is uncertain.

The New York Times

For years, I was likely to mention the Davis test whenever the subject of wine connoisseurship came up, even if I happened to be drinking a glass of beer at the time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come up even" in financial contexts, ensure it clearly indicates reaching a balance where expenses equal income or debts are fully settled.

Common error

Avoid using "come up even" when you simply mean to "catch up" or "arrive". This phrase specifically denotes achieving a state of balance or equality, not merely reaching a physical location or developmental stage.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "come up even" is as an idiomatic phrase. It acts as a verb phrase, describing the action of reaching a balance or state of equality. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used in various contexts to illustrate this meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come up even" is a grammatically sound and understandable idiomatic expression that describes a state of reaching equality or balance. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase sees the most frequent usage in news and media contexts, with applications also found in science and wiki content. While relatively uncommon, its meaning is clear and its usage is generally appropriate across both casual and professional settings. When aiming for greater formality, consider alternatives such as "reach equilibrium".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break even

Implies reaching a point where gains equal losses; a common synonym, often in financial contexts.

reach equilibrium

Suggests a state of balance being achieved, applicable in both physical and abstract contexts.

balance out

Implies that different elements counteract each other, resulting in equilibrium.

settle up

Focuses on finalizing accounts to achieve a balanced financial state between parties.

be all square

An idiom expressing that a debt or obligation has been completely settled.

equalize

Highlights the act of making things equal or balanced.

come to a draw

Specifically applies to situations like games or competitions where neither side wins.

be on par

Indicates being at the same level or standard.

tie the score

Specifically indicates achieving an equal score in a competitive setting.

level the playing field

Suggests creating fair and equal conditions for all participants.

FAQs

What does "come up even" mean?

"Come up even" means to reach a state of balance or equality, often in a financial or competitive context, where gains equal losses, or opposing sides reach the same score.

How can I use "come up even" in a sentence?

You can use "come up even" to describe situations where two parties reach a point of equilibrium: "After all the deductions, we managed to "break even" /s/break+even."

What are some alternatives to "come up even"?

Alternatives to "come up even" include phrases like ""break even"", "reach equilibrium", or "be all square", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "come up even" formal or informal?

"Come up even" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both informal and professional contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "reach equilibrium" or "balance out".