even-steven
Americanadjective
-
having no balance of debt on either side; even in the setting of accounts.
-
having an equal chance or score; tied.
Etymology
Origin of even-steven
First recorded in 1865–70; rhyming compound based on even 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nearly 100% did and turns out to be about even-steven whether theirs had tomatoes or not.
From Salon ● Feb. 27, 2025
"I’m thrilled that both of them played well. I want it to be a hard decision," said coach Vic Fangio, repeating the "even-steven" declaration he's made on the race all summer.
From Fox News ● Aug. 15, 2021
“They want to keep it even-steven between countries,” Richter said of the WTO.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 16, 2021
Along with Mr. Affleck’s supple, sympathetic performance, Amy’s voice-over tips the scales so far in Nick’s favor that it upends Ms. Flynn’s attempt to recreate the even-steven dynamic from her book.
From New York Times ● Sep. 25, 2014
Another boy, Hope says, now it's even-steven around here.
From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
