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

Example Sentences

The Premier League wanted a higher compliance bar to provide a level playing field, external for those clubs not in Europe.

From BBC

Being denied a level playing field when trying to bridge the Premier League gap was one thing, but being denied the chance for penalties was another.

From BBC

As with any good sport, there are strict rules to ensure a level playing field.

From BBC

But the sport, which does everything in its power to maintain a level playing field, is explicitly designed to prevent this.

From The Wall Street Journal

That sense of safety also comes from the level playing field in gay romance - it does not have the fixed gender roles and stereotypes present in heterosexual love stories.

From BBC