even things out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even things out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of making something more balanced or equal, often in a context where there is an imbalance or inequality. Example: "To ensure fairness in the competition, we need to even things out by adjusting the scoring system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

I hope that will even things out a little bit".

The New York Times - Sports

"In the end, you have enough laps in the race to even things out," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think if we really want to advocate for equality, it's important to even things out".

The Guardian - Film

We're still pretty good runners and we do even things out on the weights.

The Guardian - Sport

To even things out, she tells Ms. Wolf what is happening in her own life.

The New York Times

"There's a bit of magic in everything," he told us: "And then some loss to even things out".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

So you being older and stronger, it evens things out".

The New York Times - Sports

Italy has shown more purpose and evened things out a bit.

The New York Times

Very often, a referee who shows a yellow card in a tight game evens things out by awarding penalties to the team he has just punished.

Independent

She was a few years older than he, and at first it sort of evened things out, him knowing the score while humoring her, letting her have her notions.

The New Yorker

(Even though the tax rates remain the same for the Horovitzes, the new law phases out the personal exemptions for married couples making more than $267,200, which adds nearly $3,000 to the couple's regular income tax liability. However, with the Bush tax cuts still in place, they would also be subject to the alternative minimum tax, which nearly evens things out).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even things out" when you want to suggest a correction of an imbalance or inequality. It is suitable in contexts ranging from sports to social issues.

Common error

Avoid using "even things out" when the context requires complete reversal or eradication of a problem. The phrase implies a balancing act, not a total removal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even things out" functions as an idiomatic expression. It typically serves as a verb phrase indicating the act of creating balance or fairness after an imbalance has occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "even things out" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to describe the process of restoring balance or fairness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, with usage ranging from sports commentary to discussions of social equality. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider the specific context to ensure its appropriateness. For more formal settings, alternatives like "redress the balance" may be more suitable. Remember that "even things out" focuses on achieving equilibrium, not necessarily complete eradication of an issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

level the playing field

This alternative implies creating a fair competition by removing advantages some may have.

restore balance

This focuses on returning a situation to a state of equilibrium after a disruption.

equalize matters

This suggests making different aspects or situations equivalent.

redress the balance

This refers to correcting an imbalance or unfair situation, often involving compensation.

make amends

This focuses on compensating for a wrong or injury, bringing things back to a fair state.

settle the score

This implies resolving a conflict by retaliating or achieving a reciprocal outcome.

square things up

This suggests resolving debts or discrepancies to achieve a balanced state.

compensate for

This involves providing something to offset a deficiency or loss, creating a sense of equilibrium.

mitigate the effects

This focuses on reducing the negative consequences of an action or event, leading to a more balanced outcome.

bring into equilibrium

This emphasizes achieving a state of balance and stability.

FAQs

How can I use "even things out" in a sentence?

You can use "even things out" to describe the act of making something more balanced or equal. For instance, "To ensure fairness, we need to "even things out" by adjusting the scoring system".

What can I say instead of "even things out"?

Alternatives include "level the playing field", "restore balance", or "equalize matters", depending on the context.

Is "even things out" formal or informal?

"Even things out" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both informal and professional contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "redress the balance" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "even things out" and "make amends"?

"Even things out" implies creating a balance or fairness in a situation, while "make amends" specifically refers to compensating for a wrong or injury.