Phrase guide

even the score

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To seek or obtain revenge against someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: pay off old scores, pay back in someone's own coin
  • When the student pulled a prank on the principal, the principal evened the score by giving the student a suspension.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: settle the score, settle a score, pay off old scores, pay back in someone's own coin

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

By analogy to scorekeeping in sports.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: een oude rekening vereffenen — Translations
  • German: heimzahlen — Translations
  • Icelandic: launa lambið gráa — Translations
  • Irish: an comhar a dhíol le — Translations
  • Spanish: ajustar cuentas — Translations
  • Swedish: ge igen för gammal ost — Translations