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Glite Dictionary
to draw even

to draw even

1 4.2
Make your score or position the same as another person
  • phrasal verb
  • /drɔː ˈiːvən/
translation icon : igualar
  • "The chain armor has its place for scouting and speed," Brigit was saying as Alicia and Brandon drew even with them.

Examples

  • The team managed to draw even after trailing behind for most of the game.

  • For the 49ers, everything worked out with Colin Kaepernick in the game as they were able to draw even with the Rams, largely because of the legwork of their quarterback.

    Blog text (19)

  • Almeyda drew even with her.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Bart Taylor draws even with Jones.

    Rad (1986)

  • With their second-half surge, the Arrows are right on Coventry's heels... but can they ever draw even?

    Crooked Arrows (2012)

  • For 10 weeks, the Orioles whittled away a 10-game deficit in the American League East to the Yankees, eventually drawing even in mid-September.

    Blog text (21)

  • The Lady Mavs jumped out to a (5-0) lead to start that set, but Nazareth would chip away at the lead and draw even at (10-10).

    Blog text (19)

  • He worked hard to draw even with his classmates after falling behind in his studies.

  • After scoring two goals in the second half, the players drew even with their opponents.

Synonyms

to equalize
vsto draw even
  • US
2 4.0

To make the score the same for both sides

describes reaching equality in score rank or progress
to even up
vsto draw even
2 4.1

To make two things equal or fair by adjusting what is different

focuses on reaching equal status rather than the adjustment process

Antonyms

to fall behind
70 2.8

To not keep up with others or a schedule

How Equal

tied
1.6
to draw even
1 4.2
to catch up
389 2.7

Surface Forms

draw even infinitive
drawing even present participle
draws even third person singular
drew even past
drawn even past participle

Morphology

draw + even

The meaning 'to reach equality' is directly and compositionally derived from 'draw' (to tie) combined with 'even' (equal), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the MWE meaning. This is a common, literal construction following standard English patterns and has clear cross-linguistic parallels, making it transparent.

Etymology

The phrasal verb draw even may come from the image of one runner drawing up beside another until they are even. That's why it means 'to reach the same score or position'.