level with

tell someone the truth, especially about something difficult

C1

What does "level with sb" mean?

To level with someone is to be completely honest with them, particularly when the truth is uncomfortable or difficult to share. It carries a sense of deliberate candour — the speaker is choosing to set aside evasion or politeness in favour of frank communication. You might level with a friend before telling them something they don't want to hear, or with a colleague when you need to address a problem directly. There is often a slight implication of courage involved: the speaker knows the information may be unwelcome, but shares it anyway. The phrase is commonly used as a kind of announcement — signalling to the listener that something genuine and possibly difficult is about to follow.

Examples

How to use it

level with + person

The person being spoken to always follows 'with' as its object — this is the core and only structure for this phrasal verb.

I need to level with you about what really happened at the meeting.

going to / need to / want to + level with + person

Modal and semi-modal constructions are especially common, often used to signal that a frank disclosure is about to follow.

I'm going to level with you — the project is significantly behind schedule.

just + level with + person (imperative)

The imperative form, often softened with 'just', is used to urge someone to stop being evasive and speak honestly.

Just level with me — do you actually think we have a chance of turning this around?

level with + person + about + topic

Use 'about' to specify the subject of the honest conversation, particularly when naming a sensitive or difficult matter.

She finally levelled with her business partner about the cash flow problems she'd been hiding.

finally / completely + level with + person

Adverbs like 'finally' or 'completely' add emphasis, often suggesting that full honesty was delayed or previously avoided.

After weeks of giving vague answers, he completely levelled with the board about the scale of the setback.

Common Collocations

level with youlevel with megoing to level with youjust level with mefinally level with someoneneed to level with you

Common Mistakes

Dropping 'with' or using the wrong preposition

'Level' must always be followed by 'with' and then its object. Dropping 'with' or substituting another preposition produces incorrect English.

✗ I'll level you about the situation.
✓ I'll level with you about the situation.
Confusing 'level with' and 'level at / against'

'Level with' means speaking honestly to someone; 'level at' or 'level against' means directing criticism or accusations at someone — nearly the opposite in meaning. The two should not be confused.

✗ Several complaints were levelled with the director.
✓ Several complaints were levelled against the director. / I levelled with the director about my concerns.
Using the present continuous

Unlike many action verbs, 'level with' sounds unnatural in the present continuous. Use the going-to future or present simple instead when announcing an intention to be honest.

✗ I am levelling with you right now about what I think.
✓ I'm going to level with you about what I think.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English. It is especially common as a performative announcement before delivering difficult news: 'I'm going to level with you — things aren't going well.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'level with' always need an object after 'with'? Can I just say 'I decided to level'?

Yes, you always need to specify who you are levelling with — there is no natural short form without an object. You might say 'I decided to level with them' or 'I chose to level with my manager', but dropping 'with' and its object entirely sounds incomplete.

Can 'level with' be used in the passive, like 'I was levelled with'?

Technically possible, but it sounds extremely unnatural and is almost never used. 'Level with' describes a deliberate act of honesty by the speaker, so the active form — where the person choosing to be honest is the subject — is the only form you're likely to encounter or need.

Does 'level with' always mean someone is confessing to something wrong?

Not necessarily. Unlike 'come clean', which typically involves admitting a specific wrongdoing or secret, 'level with' is broader. It simply means being frank and open — you might level with someone about a difficult professional situation, an honest assessment, or bad news that has nothing to do with personal fault.

Is 'level with' only used in spoken English, or can I use it in writing too?

It works in both spoken and written English. It's particularly common in dialogue, journalism, and business communication when someone wants to signal candour. It would feel out of place in highly formal or academic writing, but in professional emails, reported speech, or narrative writing it's entirely natural.

Why do people so often say 'I'm going to level with you' rather than 'I level with you'?

Because 'level with' is typically a deliberate, one-off act rather than a habitual behaviour, the going-to future works naturally as a way to announce that honest communication is about to happen. It functions almost like a signal — preparing the listener for something frank or difficult. The simple present 'I level with you' sounds like a general statement about character rather than a specific act.

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