- A situation in which everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding; fair competition with no inherent advantages for any particular side.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from sports, likely games played on fields like soccer, football, or cricket.
- A literal level playing field has no slopes or bumps that would give one team an advantage over the other (e.g., playing uphill).
- The term was adopted metaphorically to refer to fairness and equality of opportunity in other domains like business, politics, and education.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Giving everyone a fair crack (of the whip) (UK/Aus)
- Making it fair-square.
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- (Less common to have vulgar alternatives for this concept, focus is on fairness)
Milder/Standard:
- Ensure equitable conditions.
- Promote fair competition.
- Provide equal opportunities for all participants.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most contexts, including informal, semi-formal, and formal discussions (business, politics, economics, education, sports).
- It's a standard term in policy debates.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well-understood.
- Non-native speakers should grasp that it's a metaphor for fairness and doesn't refer to a literal flat piece of ground, except in its original sporting context.
Examples
- Regulations were introduced to create a level playing field for small businesses competing against large corporations.
- The exam rules ensure a level playing field for all students.
- Critics argue that tax loopholes prevent a truly level playing field.
Dialogue
Analyst 1: The new trade agreement should help our domestic industries.
Analyst 2: Hopefully. The main goal is to establish a level playing field, so our companies aren't unfairly disadvantaged by subsidized foreign competitors.
Analyst 1: Exactly. Fair competition benefits everyone in the long run.
Analyst 2: Let's see if the enforcement mechanisms are strong enough to maintain it.
Social Media Examples
- LinkedIn Post: Creating a level playing field in tech hiring means actively addressing unconscious bias and promoting diverse talent pipelines. #DEI #Tech #Fairness
- Tweet: Small bookstores struggle to compete with Amazon's dominance. We need policies that ensure a more level playing field. #SmallBusiness #Competition
- News Headline Analysis: Does the proposed legislation truly create a level playing field, or does it favor incumbents? #Politics #Economy
Response Patterns
- That's essential for fair competition.
- Is it truly level, though? (Expressing skepticism)
- How can we ensure it stays level?
- That's what we're striving for.
- It's about time. (If fairness was previously lacking)
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After discussing a level playing field:
- Conversation often turns to the specific rules, regulations, or conditions that create (or fail to create) fairness.
- People might debate whether the current situation is truly fair.
- Actions might involve advocating for policies that promote equality of opportunity.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Usually used within a discussion about fairness, competition, rules, or opportunities.
Intonation
- Emphasis typically on level. A LEVEL playing field.
- Often spoken with a tone emphasizing fairness, justice, or the lack thereof.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across all generations, particularly in contexts discussing competition and fairness.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.