Sometimes, people use special phrases to talk about fairness and equal treatment. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms are fun ways to say things that mean more than the exact words. When we use idioms about equality, we show that everyone should be treated fairly, no matter who they are.
Idioms about equality help us understand that people deserve the same rights, chances, and respect. They remind us that it’s not right to treat others differently just because of how they look, speak, or where they come from. These idioms help us speak about fairness in a clear and simple way. Let’s look at some common ones that help us talk about equality in everyday life.
Idioms About Equality
1. Level playing field
Meaning: Everyone has the same chance to succeed
Example Sentence:
• The new teacher made sure every student had a level playing field.
• We want a level playing field when applying for jobs.
Other ways to say: Equal chance, fair ground
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports fields being flat so no team has an advantage
Usage: Used when talking about fairness for everyone
2. Treat someone the same
Meaning: To act the same way with everyone
Example Sentence:
• It’s important to treat your classmates the same.
• We should treat boys and girls the same.
Other ways to say: Be fair, act equally
Fun Fact/Origin: Simple phrase used to show equal behavior
Usage: Used when talking about fairness between people
3. Equal footing
Meaning: Being in the same position as someone else
Example Sentence:
• She was on equal footing with her teammates.
• Both kids started the race on equal footing.
Other ways to say: Same level, equal chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from standing on flat ground together
Usage: Used when no one has an advantage
4. Fair and square
Meaning: Honest and fair
Example Sentence:
• He won the game fair and square.
• She got the prize fair and square.
Other ways to say: Honestly, fairly
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in games and sports to show no cheating
Usage: Used when something is done the right way
5. No favorites
Meaning: Treating everyone the same
Example Sentence:
• The coach picked the team with no favorites.
• The teacher had no favorites in class.
Other ways to say: No special treatment, all the same
Fun Fact/Origin: Saying shows fairness in choices
Usage: Used when not giving extra to anyone
6. Justice is blind
Meaning: Justice should treat everyone the same
Example Sentence:
• In court, justice is blind.
• Justice is blind, so the rules apply to all.
Other ways to say: Fair judgment, equal law
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from statues of justice wearing a blindfold
Usage: Used when talking about fairness in law
7. Same boat
Meaning: In the same situation
Example Sentence:
• We’re all in the same boat during the test.
• After the rules changed, everyone was in the same boat.
Other ways to say: Equal trouble, same chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of people sharing one boat
Usage: Used when everyone shares a challenge
8. Eye to eye
Meaning: To agree or see things the same way
Example Sentence:
• They saw eye to eye on school rules.
• We need to see eye to eye on fairness.
Other ways to say: Agree, think the same
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from standing face to face
Usage: Used when people agree on equal views
9. By the book
Meaning: Follow the rules fairly
Example Sentence:
• The teacher did things by the book.
• We graded the papers by the book.
Other ways to say: Follow the rules, stick to the law
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to rule books or law books
Usage: Used when someone acts fairly
10. No strings attached
Meaning: Without hidden conditions
Example Sentence:
• She gave the gift with no strings attached.
• He helped with no strings attached.
Other ways to say: Freely, with nothing extra
Fun Fact/Origin: Strings used to pull or control something
Usage: Used when something is given equally and fairly
11. On equal terms
Meaning: Being treated the same as others
Example Sentence:
• They worked together on equal terms.
• She wanted to be on equal terms with her classmates.
Other ways to say: Same rules, equal standing
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from contracts or agreements between people
Usage: Used when people are treated the same in a group
12. Play fair
Meaning: To be honest and not cheat
Example Sentence:
• We always play fair during games.
• He told his team to play fair.
Other ways to say: Be honest, follow rules
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in sports and games
Usage: Used when asking for fairness
13. Give someone a fair shake
Meaning: Give someone an equal chance
Example Sentence:
• Everyone deserves a fair shake at success.
• She got a fair shake in the contest.
Other ways to say: Equal chance, fair try
Fun Fact/Origin: “Shake” means turn or chance
Usage: Used when talking about giving someone a fair opportunity
14. Share the load
Meaning: Divide work or problems fairly
Example Sentence:
• We all shared the load during cleanup.
• The team shared the load on the group project.
Other ways to say: Split the work, help out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from carrying weight together
Usage: Used when everyone helps equally
15. Cut from the same cloth
Meaning: Very similar in nature
Example Sentence:
• Those two friends are cut from the same cloth.
• All the volunteers seemed cut from the same cloth.
Other ways to say: Alike, very similar
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from making clothes from the same fabric
Usage: Used when people are treated the same because they’re alike
16. Give the same weight
Meaning: Treat all opinions or people equally
Example Sentence:
• The teacher gave the same weight to all ideas.
• We should give the same weight to everyone’s voice.
Other ways to say: Value the same, treat fairly
Fun Fact/Origin: From measuring things evenly
Usage: Used when judging all things equally
17. One rule for all
Meaning: Same rules apply to everyone
Example Sentence:
• There’s one rule for all at school.
• The coach used one rule for all players.
Other ways to say: Equal rules, same treatment
Fun Fact/Origin: Simple way to say fairness
Usage: Used when everyone follows the same rule
18. Even the odds
Meaning: Make things fair or balanced
Example Sentence:
• Giving extra time helped even the odds.
• She tried to even the odds by sharing supplies.
Other ways to say: Make it fair, balance things
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from gambling and games
Usage: Used when trying to fix unfairness
19. Give someone equal say
Meaning: Let everyone share their thoughts
Example Sentence:
• The group gave everyone equal say in the plan.
• We gave her equal say in the decision.
Other ways to say: Let talk, share opinion
Fun Fact/Origin: “Say” means voice or vote
Usage: Used when sharing decisions fairly
20. Equal opportunity
Meaning: Everyone has the same chance to succeed
Example Sentence:
• The school gives students equal opportunity.
• Equal opportunity means anyone can try out.
Other ways to say: Same chance, fair shot
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in workplaces and schools
Usage: Used when giving all people the same chance
21. Fair shot
Meaning: A fair chance to do something
Example Sentence:
• She got a fair shot in the contest.
• Everyone deserves a fair shot to win.
Other ways to say: Equal try, same chance
Fun Fact/Origin: “Shot” here means a turn or chance
Usage: Used when everyone should get a turn
22. On the same page
Meaning: Agreeing or understanding the same thing
Example Sentence:
• The team was on the same page about the plan.
• We’re on the same page about being fair.
Other ways to say: Agree, understand together
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from books or notes
Usage: Used when people agree or understand equally
23. Square deal
Meaning: A fair arrangement
Example Sentence:
• He promised a square deal for all.
• The workers asked for a square deal.
Other ways to say: Fair deal, equal treatment
Fun Fact/Origin: “Square” means honest or fair
Usage: Used when asking for fairness in work or life
24. Put everyone on the same line
Meaning: Treat all people equally
Example Sentence:
• The game puts everyone on the same line.
• The rules put all students on the same line.
Other ways to say: Equal rules, fair start
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from races where everyone starts on the same line
Usage: Used when everyone gets a fair beginning
25. Hand in hand
Meaning: Work together equally
Example Sentence:
• Fairness and respect go hand in hand.
• The students worked hand in hand on the project.
Other ways to say: Together, as a team
Fun Fact/Origin: From people holding hands
Usage: Used when people or ideas work together equally
26. Eye-level
Meaning: Looking at others as equals
Example Sentence:
• Teachers try to talk to students at eye-level.
• The coach spoke to the team at eye-level.
Other ways to say: As equals, same position
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from standing face to face
Usage: Used when talking about respect and equality
27. Walk in their shoes
Meaning: To understand others by thinking like them
Example Sentence:
• Try to walk in their shoes before judging.
• Teachers should walk in their students’ shoes.
Other ways to say: See from their side, feel their experience
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from imagining living someone else’s life
Usage: Used to show fairness by understanding others
28. Across the board
Meaning: Applied to everyone equally
Example Sentence:
• The rule applies across the board.
• The raise was given across the board.
Other ways to say: To all, for everyone
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old business and sports use
Usage: Used when something affects all people the same
Quiz: Idioms About Equality
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “level playing field” mean?
A) A place with no rules
B) Everyone has the same chance
C) The game is on a hill
2. If someone says “treat others the same,” what do they mean?
A) Give more to your friends
B) Be nice only to one person
C) Act fairly with everyone
3. What does “on equal footing” mean?
A) People are fighting
B) Everyone starts at the same level
C) One person is ahead
4. When something is done “fair and square,” what happens?
A) Someone cheated
B) It was done honestly
C) Nobody played
5. If a teacher has “no favorites,” what does that mean?
A) Only likes one student
B) Treats all students fairly
C) Gives prizes to some
6. What does it mean when someone “shares the load”?
A) Takes all the work
B) Works with others fairly
C) Drops the job
7. If two kids are “cut from the same cloth,” what are they?
A) Totally different
B) From another town
C) Very similar
8. What does “give someone a fair shake” mean?
A) Be mean to them
B) Give them an equal chance
C) Make fun of them
9. If rules apply “across the board,” who do they affect?
A) Only the best students
B) Just the adults
C) Everyone equally
10. What does it mean to “walk in someone’s shoes”?
A) Wear their sneakers
B) Understand how they feel
C) Follow them around
Answer Key
- B) Everyone has the same chance
- C) Act fairly with everyone
- B) Everyone starts at the same level
- B) It was done honestly
- B) Treats all students fairly
- B) Works with others fairly
- C) Very similar
- B) Give them an equal chance
- C) Everyone equally
- B) Understand how they feel
Wrapping Up
Idioms about equality help us talk about fairness in a simple way. They remind us that everyone should be treated the same, no matter who they are. These phrases are useful in school, sports, and everyday life. When we use them, we show that we care about doing what’s right.
Learning and using these idioms can help you speak clearly and kindly. They also help you stand up for fairness. Try using some of them in your next conversation or writing. It’s a small way to make a big difference.
