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]

Example Sentences

Nearly 100% did and turns out to be about even-steven whether theirs had tomatoes or not.

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"We were splitting the money even-steven. The more money I got, the more I'd have to buy that new sled I wanted."

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Asked to respond to Murkowski’s de facto endorsement, Peltola said, “I’m voting for her, so we’re even-steven.”

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Fangio said afterward that their performances validated his notion that “they’re even-steven” in this QB clash in which they’ve traded off good days for bad and have even been inconsistent from one series to the next.

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"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.

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Related Words

• ambiguous 
• careful 
• cautious 
• circumspect 
• discreet 
• equivocal 
• evasive 
• judicious 
• neutral 
• tactful 
• vague 
• wary