level playing field

American  

noun

1. a state of equality; an equal opportunity.

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level playing field British  

noun

1. a situation in which none of the competing parties has an advantage at the outset of a competitive activity

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Etymology

Origin of level playing field

First recorded in 1980–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

level playing field

A report led by the UN's special rapporteur on freedom of expression said Meta must ensure a level playing field online during the election.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, external, Ben Delo said he was making the move because he wanted a "fair fight and a level playing field".

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

“If we have a level playing field upon which to shoot, where we are not much more expensive than other locations, productions will come back to Los Angeles.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

"This is not a trade conflict we have chosen, but we need to respond to maintain a level playing field" between US businesses and Canadian ones, Champagne said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

I discuss this more later, but suffice it to say here that common standards create a flatter, more level playing field.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

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