equalise
equalise — verb
1. to make two or more amounts, levels, or standards the same as each other
to make two or more amounts, levels, or standards the same as each other
The government introduced new laws to help equalise pay between men and women.
collocation: equalise pay between
Ayesha used the software to equalise the sound levels across all the audio files.
The charity works to equalise access to clean water in rural areas.
A unified curriculum would help equalise education standards across different schools.
Yan adjusted the mixer to equalise the volume of each musical instrument.
- balance
more general; can refer to physical or financial balance
- even out
phrasal verb; slightly more informal
- standardise
focuses on making things follow a single rule or format, not necessarily numerically equal
- differentiate
to treat or make things different from each other
文法句型
equalise + noun phrase (most common)
用法筆記
The object is typically an amount, level, or standard — not a person. You equalise pay, access, or opportunities, not 'equalise people'. This sense can also be used intransitively (e.g. 'the differences will eventually equalise').
常見錯誤
2. to score points that bring your team level with the opposing side during a match
to score points that bring your team level with the opposing side during a match
Nikos equalised for his team with a powerful header in the second half.
football context: equalise with a header
The home team equalised just minutes before the final whistle to earn a draw.
intransitive use in sports
Selim thought he had equalised, but the referee ruled the goal offside.
City equalised twice during the second half but still ended with only one point.
The away team equalised with only a few seconds left on the clock.
- draw level
phrasal verb; slightly more formal in commentary
- tie
mainly American English; also used for non-sports scores
- fall behind
to be behind in score after being level or ahead
文法句型
equalise + for + team/noun phrase
equalise + in + the match
用法筆記
Common in football (soccer), but also used in hockey and rugby. In American English the spelling is 'equalize'. The verb is almost always intransitive — you equalise, not 'equalise the score'.