even the score
even the score (idiom)
/ˈiːvən ðə skɔːr/
Meanings
- To take action so that both sides are equal again after one side had an advantage.
- To get revenge or pay someone back so that neither side owes the other anything.
- To make a competition or situation balanced after being behind.
- To make the score equal in a game or match (literal / sports).
Synonyms: get even; level the score; square things up; pay back; balance things out; level the playing field.
Example Sentences
- After being treated unfairly at work, he waited for the right moment to even the score by proving his ability.
- She felt insulted by his remark and tried to even the score by embarrassing him in public.
- The team lost badly last season, but they trained hard to even the score in the next match.
- With a late goal, the striker evened the score and kept the game alive. (literal)
Etymology and Origin
The phrase “even the score” is generally believed to derive from the concept of balancing or equalizing a tally or record, drawing from historical practices of keeping accounts through notches or marks on sticks or boards. This etymological root connects to the idea of fairness in transactions, where making something “even” implies resolving an imbalance, whether in debts or competition.
Another prevailing theory links it to games and sports, where “score” refers to points accumulated, and “evening” it means tying the game or countering an advantage. Beliefs around the phrase also suggest it evolved from metaphorical extensions of accounting, where settling imbalances symbolized restitution or retribution, reflecting a human inclination toward equity in social interactions.
Historical Development
Over time, the phrase has shifted from literal applications in record-keeping to figurative uses in interpersonal and competitive contexts. In earlier periods, related expressions emphasized resolving accounts or debts, indicating a progression from financial connotations to broader notions of reciprocity.
By the early 20th century, it had become associated with achieving parity in rivalries or conflicts, often carrying undertones of retaliation. This development mirrors societal changes, such as the rise of organized sports and the emphasis on justice in personal relations, allowing the expression to adapt while retaining its core meaning of restoring balance.
Country of Origin
The phrase appears to have first emerged in its modern idiomatic form in the United States, aligning with American cultural emphases on competition and fairness. Its usage in literature and everyday language during the early 20th century reflects influences from American sports and social dynamics, distinguishing it from similar expressions in other English-speaking regions.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest known printed record of the phrase “even the score” in its idiomatic sense occurs in the novel Martin Eden, authored by Jack London and published in September 1909. In the work, the phrase is used in the context of a longstanding rivalry:
“Eden never gave up trying to even the score but always got the worst of it.”
This instance illustrates the expression’s application to seeking retribution, marking its transition into literary language.
Variants
- even the odds
- level the score
- square the score
- level things up
- settle the score
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