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

Tit-for-tat corruption can be difficult to prove, but more than tripling what you’re making one year into your term suggests that all is not on the level here.

From Slate • Jul. 1, 2026

Companies raise or lower prices for a number of reasons — depending on the level of competition, the willingness of customers to pay, their own costs and their profit margins.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

Any applicant could make claims for various amounts depending on the level of harm.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Every horse in training is giving an official rating by the handicapper based on the level that they run to.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

I’m moving faster on the level road than I could’ve in the wild.

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes