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

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

And when the star is a legend on the level of Reiner, the contrivance can be even riskier.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2025

Adverse effects depend on the level of lead in the food, the age of the consumer and the frequency of exposure.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

Critics of the Nova classification system say it relies too much on the level of processing in foods, and not on how nutritious that particular food is.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

When it came opposite, working and puffing even on the level, and I saw the engineer pass, I stood up and stepped up close to the passing cars.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway