on the level

Cultural  

1. Honest, without deception: “We doubted that the offer could be genuine, but it turned out to be on the level.”

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on the level Idioms  

1. Honest, straightforward, sincere, as in You can believe her—she's on the level. This expression may have come from Freemasonry, where the carpenter's level symbolizes integrity. [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Those involved could include the Special Boat Service and the Royal Marines, depending on the level of resistance expected from crews aboard the shadow vessels.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

And based on the level of coverage from major news outlets, readers sure do like to be shocked.

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2026

New England’s rapid offensive improvement this year is a reminder that there are few geniuses in the sport on the level of the 49-year-old McDaniels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Weiss did not provide any specifics on the level of investment for the new initiatives.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

Somewhere on the level below, government employees flowed in and out of the building, while somewhere above, the president and First Lady lived with their Scottish terriers in the family residence.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama