Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
📄 To align ⚖️ To make equal
to even up

to even up

3 5.3
To make the edges of a pile of papers level and straight
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : nivelar

I'm using this waterproof foundation in sand to even up her skin tone.

Examples

  • Get one more shot to even up the score.

    Far Out Man (1990)

  • Just to even things up.

    Blog text (21)

  • Maybe it's just a way of evening up the odds.

    Blog text (21)

  • I'm using this waterproof foundation in sand to even up her skin tone.

    Edward Avila

  • Bit warmer toned again, but I think I'm going to just even up any bits that we sort of missed with the pen.

  • I need to even up the edges of this stack of paper so they all align perfectly.

  • Before we start the match, let's even up the teams to ensure fair play.

  • He used a ruler to even up the cut edges of the cardboard.

Synonyms

to line up
vsto even up
115 2.6

Put people or things in a straight row

applies specifically to making pile edges even rather than creating rows
to align
vsto even up
89 3.5

To put things in a straight line or in the correct position

is narrower, focusing on making pile or stack edges level rather than overall positioning
to even
vsto even up
22 2.5

To make something level or smooth

is specifically about aligning the edges of a pile or stack
to even out
vsto even up
18 3.4

To make a surface, amount, or relationship level by removing differences

focuses on making the edges of a pile or stack level
to flatten out
vsto even up
5 3.4

To become flat and smooth after being uneven

refers specifically to aligning the edges of a pile or stack rather than general flattening
to flush
vsto even up
3 6.1

To make one surface level with another

is used for lining up pile edges rather than matching two surfaces
to square up
vsto even up
1 4.1

Make the edges and corners even and straight

is aimed more at aligning pile or stack edges than shaping corners
to jog
vsto even up
  • Specialized
7.1

To make the edges of paper even by tapping the stack

is the general action of making pile edges level or even
to true up
vsto even up
  • Specialized
8.4

To make something exactly straight and level, for example a wheel rim

is a simpler, everyday action of aligning pile edges rather than technical levelling

Antonyms

to disarrange
1 6.4

To make something messy or not in the right order

How Level

to even up
3 5.3
to smooth out
  • Specialized
1 4.2
to neaten
1 3.7

Surface Forms

even up infinitive
evened up past
evened up past participle
evening up present participle
evens up third person singular

Morphology

even + up

The meaning 'to make equal, fair, or balanced' follows directly from combining 'even' (to make level or equal) with the particle 'up' which signals completion or intensification, so the sense is compositionally predictable. This verb+particle pattern is common in English and mirrors cross-linguistic ways of saying 'equalize', making it readily understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Even up, with the parts even and up, comes from the simple action of making the top of a pile or stack even by sliding or trimming the edges so they all line up. That's why it means 'to make level or aligned'.