even-steven

Or e·ven-Ste·ven

[ee-vuhn-stee-vuhn]

adjective

Informal.

1. having no balance of debt on either side; even in the setting of accounts.

2. having an equal chance or score; tied.

Word History and Origins

Origin of even-steven¹

First recorded in 1865–70; rhyming compound based on even ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Exactly equal; also, with nothing due or owed on either side. For example, I've paid it all back, so now we're even-steven. This rhyming phrase is used as an intensive for even. [Mid-1800s]

Related Words

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