draw level with

USAGE SUMMARY

"draw level with" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is usually used in the context of making two things equal. For example, "In order to reach the top of the mountain, we had to draw level with the peak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They recovered from falling behind to an early penalty to draw level with another.

The Guardian - Sport

At fourteen, he would draw level with Steve Martin, the record holder.

The New Yorker

If they can keep it up, they should eventually draw level with the present members.

The Economist

Two years ago, England came from 20-6 down to draw level with South Africa at Twickenham.

The Guardian - Sport

Crucially, Biarritz managed to score an embarrassing 13 tries to draw level with Bourgoin on 21 tries.

The Guardian - Sport

He needs only four more wins to draw level with Nigel Mansell as Britain's most successful driver, with 31 victories.

The Guardian - Sport

Just to draw level with Labour, they must win roughly two additional seats for every three they currently hold.

The Economist

The England international will draw level with Daniel Sturridge, and just two shy of Ruud van Nistelrooy's record.

Independent

7.17pm: A good couple of minutes for the Irish contingent at Oakland Hills - McGinley wins the first hole and Harrington secures an eagle to draw level with Haas.

The Guardian - Sport

The leader of Plaid Cymru, Leanne Wood, was able to draw level with Jones in the vote on Wednesday, with 29 assembly members each.

The Guardian

A 10-foot par putt on the 18th helped him to draw level with Summerhays and Louis Oosthuizen for the low round of the tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase is particularly effective in sports reporting and political analysis to describe shifting momentum.

Common error

Do not use "draw level with" if the subject has already surpassed the object. Drawing level means reaching the exact same point, not moving past it. To indicate moving past, use "overtake" or "surpass".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw level with" functions as a transitive verb phrase where the verb "draw" combines with the adjective "level" and the preposition "with" to indicate an action of becoming equal. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to show a change in state from being behind to being equal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draw level with" is a sophisticated and widely accepted way to describe the act of reaching equality in a competition, score, or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and very common expression, particularly within news and sports media. Whether you are describing a football team catching up to their rivals or an emerging economy matching a developed nation's GDP, "draw level with" provides a clear and professional way to frame the achievement of parity. Remember to always use the preposition "with" and ensure that the context implies reaching equality rather than surpassing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch up with

Less formal and focuses on the process of reaching someone who was ahead.

pull even with

Often implies a sense of effort or physical movement, like in a race.

tie with

Simple and direct, usually referring to numerical outcomes.

equalize with

Specifically used in sports contexts to describe tying the score.

become level with

A more literal description of achieving equality.

reach parity with

Much more formal, typically used in economic or technical discussions.

match the performance of

Focuses on comparing results rather than position.

keep pace with

Focuses on maintaining the same speed rather than catching up from behind.

attain the same status as

Used for qualitative comparisons rather than scores or positions.

neutralize the lead of

Focuses on the defensive act of eliminating an opponent's advantage.

FAQs

How do I use "draw level with" in a sports sentence?

You can use it to describe a team catching up, such as: "The striker scored in the final minute to "draw level with" the league leaders."

What is the difference between "draw level with" and "equalize"?

While both mean to make things even, "equalize" is often a single verb used in sports, whereas "draw level with" is a more descriptive phrase applicable to politics and business as well.

Can I say "draw level to" instead of "draw level with"?

No, the standard idiomatic preposition is "with". Using "to" is considered non-standard in this specific context.

What can I use instead of "draw level with" in a formal report?

In a formal or academic report, you might prefer terms like "achieve parity with" or "reach the same level as".