level with

level with — phrasal verb

  • level withbase form
  • levels with3rd person singular
  • leveling with-ing form
  • leveled withpast simple

1. at the same height or vertical position as something else, without being higher

1.片語動詞不及物B1
釋義

at the same height or vertical position as something else, without being higher or lower than it

例句

The top shelf sits level with Gita's shoulders, so she reaches it easily.

be level with + noun phrase — physical position

Mateo hung the new mirror level with the window frame for a clean look.

同義詞
  • even with

    more common in American English, same meaning of physical alignment

  • flush with

    used when surfaces are touching and perfectly aligned

文法句型

be level with + noun phrase

stay level with + noun phrase

用法筆記

Typically used with linking verbs such as 'be', 'sit', 'hang', 'stay', or 'rise'. The object following 'with' is a physical reference point (a body part, a piece of furniture, a mark on a wall).

常見錯誤

The shelf is level to her shoulders.
The shelf is level with her shoulders.
💡the correct preposition is 'with', not 'to'.

2. having the same numerical value, score, amount, or standard as someone or someth

2.片語動詞不及物B1
釋義

having the same numerical value, score, amount, or standard as someone or something else, so that neither is ahead or behind

例句

After the third round, Cyrus's score was level with Apinya's at 42 points.

be level with + noun phrase — scores tied in a competition

The new tax rate stays level with last year's, so households pay the same.

同義詞
  • tied with

    more specific to sports and games where two competitors have equal points

  • equal to

    broader usage covering any measurable quality, not just scores

  • on a par with

    more formal register, often used for standards or quality levels

文法句型

be level with + noun phrase

stay level with + noun phrase

draw level with + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in sports, finance, and education contexts where scores, rates, or standards are compared. 'Draw level with' is a frequent variant, especially in British sports reporting.

常見錯誤

My score is level to yours.
My score is level with yours.
💡the preposition is always 'with', never 'to'.

3. to tell someone the complete truth about something, especially when the facts ar

3.片語動詞不及物B2
釋義

to tell someone the complete truth about something, especially when the facts are unpleasant or difficult to share

例句

I'll level with you, Stefan — the repair will cost more than we expected.

level with + someone — formulaic opening for honesty

The nurse decided to level with the patient about the serious risks of the surgery.

level with + someone + about + something

同義詞
  • come clean

    more informal, often implies admitting wrongdoing or a hidden fact

  • confess

    carries religious or legal weight; more serious than 'level with'

  • tell the truth

    more direct and less idiomatic; works in any register

反義詞
  • lie to

    the direct opposite — deliberately saying something false

  • hide from

    keeping the truth back rather than sharing it

文法句型

level with + someone

level with + someone + about + something

用法筆記

Always takes a personal object introduced by 'with'. Frequently used in the first-person formula 'I'll level with you' to signal a shift to frankness. The object is the person being addressed, not the subject being discussed (which follows 'about').

常見錯誤

I need to level with you about what the doctor said.
The doctor levelled with me about the test results.
💡'level with' always introduces the person spoken to, not the topic.