level the playing field

level the playing field

To make a situation or activity more fair and balanced by giving an extra advantage or opportunity to those who would normally be at a disadvantage, or by attempting to take away or diminish advantages, perhaps of one's adversary or competitor. The point of this legislation is to level the playing field for those who have typically found it harder to access public funding. The acquisition of the star player in the offseason was intended to level the playing field with their main rivals, who have become perennial champions.
See also: field, level, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ˌlevel the ˈplaying field

create a situation where everyone has the same opportunities: There is a high demand for new laws and restrictions to be introduced in order to level the playing field.
See also: field, level, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • level the field
  • level playing field
  • a level playing field
  • politics makes strange bedfellows
  • be behind the eight ball
  • behind the eight ball
  • it's swings and roundabouts
  • roundabout
  • at the expense of
  • at the expense of somebody/something
References in periodicals archive
Mr Leonard also claims Scottish Labour had been "pushing for amendments that would rebalance power in the planning system, and give communities a right of appeal with developers to level the playing field and make the system fairer".
'Technology has gotten to a degree of ubiquity that it can now be leveraged as a platform to level the playing field and allow micro businesses to compete with giants.'
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that the United States is seeking to "level the playing field" with China after decades of unfair trade practices, but his Dutch counterpart said tariffs would hurt international trade.
11207 will level the playing field for those vying for a position in public office as it seeks to provide discounts for political advertisements during the campaign season.
How we buy, and what politicians do to level the playing field, will determine the future of our high streets.
HUNDREDS of North East small business owners will descend on Newcastle as part of a Government drive to level the playing field for companies that supply goods and services to government.
The authors of a new study argue a levy should be imposed on high-income families to help level the playing field in access to selective schools.
'Our accession to the Convention will level the playing field between the Philippines and foreign counterparts in pursuing a common criminal policy aimed at the protection of society against cybercrimes,' Aguirre said in a statement.
Jon Sutton, chief of Bank of Queensland (ASX: BOQ)(BoQ) has said that he does not expect the bank levy to level the playing field for banks in Australia.
Speaking today in Kuwait at the Islamic Finance Conference, Kuwait City, Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund said, "The first priority is to level the playing field and create an enabling environment for Islamic finance to develop-"
Charter schools are working to level the playing field for Texas students growing up in poverty, and it's time for the state to do its part in leveling the funding, former NBA player David Robinson writes.
Now as owners of a broker-dealer on the NYSE, they can demand a seat at the table and level the playing field."
M2 EQUITYBITES-October 8, 2014-World Standards Day 14 October 2014 - Standards level the playing field
A cacophony of sound bites pounds Syria Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki al-Faisal yesterday called for Syrian rebels to be given anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to "level the playing field" in their fight to remove President Bashar al-Assad.