Understanding the Phrasal Verb "Even Up"
Have you ever played a board game where one person was clearly winning, only for a few lucky turns to change the game and even up the score? Whether you are talking about splitting a pizza fairly or straightening a messy stack of documents, the phrase even up is a versatile tool in the English language. It describes the act of taking something that is lopsided, unfair, or disorganized and restoring it to a state of balance or alignment.
Core Meanings and Usage
At its heart, even up is about creating equality. While it sounds simple, it can be applied to both abstract concepts—like fairness—and physical objects.
1. Restoring Balance or Equality
This is the most common way native speakers use the term. It implies that a previous state was unequal and needed an adjustment to become fair or equivalent.
- If you give your brother five cookies and yourself only three, you should probably even up the pile so you both have four.
- The sudden rainstorm helped even up the playing field, making it harder for the faster team to pull ahead.
- We worked overtime last week to even up our project hours with the rest of the department.
2. Aligning or Straightening
In a more literal sense, you can use even up to describe making physical edges smooth or parallel. This is especially common in office settings, printing, or carpentry.
- Please tap the papers against the desk to even up the edges before you staple them.
- The carpenter had to plane the board to even up the side of the table.
- I spent a few minutes trying to even up the curtains so they hung at the same height.
Grammar Patterns
The phrasal verb even up is usually transitive, meaning it requires an object. You typically even up something.
Because it is a separable phrasal verb, you can place the object between the two parts of the verb or after the entire phrase:
- Standard: "I need to even up these stacks."
- Separated: "I need to even these stacks up."
Both versions are grammatically correct and widely used in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is confusing even up with simply "even." While "even" can be an adjective (meaning level) or a verb (meaning to make level), adding "up" emphasizes the process of achieving that state. Avoid using "even up" when describing a total number that is already even, such as saying "The score is evened up" when it is already tied; instead, just say "The score is even." Additionally, ensure you don't confuse this with "even out," which often refers to a process happening over a longer period of time (e.g., "The temperature will even out by the afternoon").
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "even up" formal or informal?
It is generally used in everyday, neutral English. You can use it in casual conversation with friends or in a semi-professional office setting, but it is likely too informal for a formal legal or academic document.
Can I use "even up" for people?
No, you usually don't even up a person. You might "even up the score" between two people, but you would not say "I need to even up my brother."
What is the difference between "even up" and "level out"?
To even up usually implies adding something to a smaller amount to match a larger one. "Level out" often implies that a fluctuation (like a moving graph or a bumpy ride) is becoming steady or consistent.
Conclusion
The phrase even up is a handy way to describe the pursuit of fairness and order. Whether you are dividing resources among friends, fixing an uneven stack of paper, or tracking a competitive game, using this phrasal verb will help you express yourself with precision. By remembering that it is all about restoring balance, you will find plenty of opportunities to use it in your daily life.