Understanding the Idiom: Being 'On the Level'

In this episode of Easy English Expressions, Coach Shane delves into the meaning and practical application of the idiom "on the level." This phrase is a staple of everyday English, often used to describe someone who is honest, consistent, and transparent in their communication.

The Etymology: Why 'Level'?

To understand the human application of the phrase, one must first look at the literal meaning of the word "level." Coach Shane uses the analogy of building a house: when constructing a floor, the surface must be perfectly even. If you place a ball on the floor and it rolls to one side, the floor is not level. In construction, being level means everything is balanced and consistent. Similarly, when a person is "on the level," their words and stories are balanced and consistent across all audiences. They do not change their narrative based on who they are speaking to; whether they are talking to their boss, their spouse, or a best friend, the message remains the same.

Honesty and Consistency in Communication

At its core, being "on the level" is synonymous with being honest. Someone who is on the level is not lying. The primary indicator of this trait is consistency. If someone tells you the exact same thing they tell everyone else, they are considered to be on the level. This is a highly valued trait in social and professional interactions because it establishes trust. As the podcast emphasizes, "People who are on the level with everyone are not lying."

Practical Application in Conversation

Coach Shane provides a dialogue example involving politics to illustrate how the expression is used in real life:

• Speaker A: "I just don't think he's on the level with the public."
• Speaker B: "Are any politicians on the level with us?"

In this context, the speakers are questioning the transparency of politicians. They suspect that these public figures might be making promises to the general public while saying something completely different behind closed doors to wealthy donors or other entities.

You can use this expression in several ways:

1. Questioning someone's honesty: If you suspect someone is lying or being inconsistent, you can directly ask, "Are you on the level with me?"
2. Advising others: If you want a friend to be transparent with someone else, you can tell them, "You need to be on the level with him."
3. Self-disclosure: You can use the verb form, as Coach Shane does: "I'm gonna level with you guys," which acts as a precursor to sharing an honest, direct truth.

Conclusion

Being "on the level" is a powerful way to describe integrity in communication. While the podcast notes that "sometimes honesty is not nice," it concludes that "lying is much worse." By striving to be consistent and transparent in our speech, we make life easier and foster genuine connections. As Coach Shane encourages his listeners, mastering these expressions is part of the broader journey to "master English" and communicate with greater clarity and sincerity.