What does "Level playing field" mean?

A fair situation where everyone has equal opportunity. From sports—a level field gives no advantage to either side. Used for any situation of fair competition.

How do you use "Level playing field" in a sentence?

We need a level playing field for small businesses. The new rules create a more level playing field. It's not a level playing field.

Level playing field

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: A fair situation where everyone has equal opportunity.

人人机会平等的公平环境

Una situación justa donde todos tienen igualdad de oportunidades.

全員が平等な機会を持つ公正な状況

모두에게 공평한 기회가 주어지는 상황

From sports—a level field gives no advantage to either side. Used for any situation of fair competition.

源自体育——平坦的场地不会给任何一方带来优势。用于任何公平竞争的情况。

Del deporte—un campo nivelado no da ventaja a ningún lado. Se usa para cualquier situación de competencia justa.

スポーツ由来の表現。平らなフィールドはどちらにも有利にならない。公正な競争状況全般に使われる。

스포츠에서 유래—평평한 경기장은 어느 쪽에도 유리하지 않다. 공정한 경쟁이 이루어지는 모든 상황에 쓰인다.

Literal meaning: Flat sports field

Examples

We need a level playing field for small businesses.
我们需要为小企业创造公平的竞争环境
Necesitamos igualdad de condiciones para las pequeñas empresas
中小企業には公平な競争条件が必要だ
중소기업에는 공정한 경쟁 환경이 필요하다.
The new rules create a more level playing field.
新规则创造了更公平的竞争环境
Las nuevas reglas crean condiciones más equitativas
新しいルールでより公平な競争環境ができる
새로운 규칙이 더 공정한 경쟁 환경을 만든다.
It's not a level playing field.
这不是公平竞争
No hay igualdad de condiciones
公平な競争ではない
공정한 경쟁 환경이 아니다.

Pronunciation

/ˈlevəl ˈpleɪɪŋ fiːld/

Usage Guide

Context: fairness, competition, business

Tone: political, fair-minded

✓ Do Say

Level playing field.
公平竞争环境
Igualdad de condiciones
公平な競争条件
공정한 경쟁 환경
Need a level playing field.
需要公平环境
Necesitamos condiciones equitativas
公平な条件が必要
공정한 조건이 필요해
Not a level playing field.
不公平
No hay igualdad
公平ではない
공정하지 않아

✗ Don't Say

Fair conditions
Fair conditions（公平条件）
Fair conditions（Condiciones justas）
Fair conditions（公平な条件）
Fair conditions（공정한 조건）
Equal opportunity
Equal opportunity（平等机会）
Equal opportunity（Igualdad de oportunidades）
Equal opportunity（平等な機会）
Equal opportunity（동등한 기회）

Common Mistakes

Very common in business and politics
Usually about regulatory fairness

Origin & History

From sports in general—a tilted field would favor one team.

Etymology: Sports metaphor, late 20th century

First recorded: 1970s-80s

Cultural Context

Era: 1970s to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal, especially business

Pop culture: Political speeches; Business regulation

Regional notes: Universal English expression, especially in business and politics.

Variations

Level playing fieldLeveling the playing fieldUneven playing field