Phrasal verb
level off
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
level off
Past
leveled off
Past participle
leveled off
Definition
phrasal verb. to stop increasing or decreasing and stay at a steady level. You use this when talking about things like prices, speed, or a plane's height.
phrasal verb. to reach a stable state or constant level after a period of fluctuation, increase, or decrease. In this sense, the verb is typically intransitive.
Examples
“The price of gas is finally starting to level off.”
“After the initial excitement and rapid growth of the new app, the number of daily users began to level off.”
“Market analysts observed that while the tech sector saw unprecedented gains in the spring, valuations began to level off as interest rates rose.”
Examples
simple
“The price of gas is finally starting to level off.”
contextual
“After the initial excitement and rapid growth of the new app, the number of daily users began to level off.”
complex
“Market analysts observed that while the tech sector saw unprecedented gains in the spring, valuations began to level off as interest rates rose.”
Usage
Commonly used in business, economics, and aviation to describe a trend becoming stable.
Teaching tip
Use visual aids like line graphs to show a steep line turning horizontal to illustrate the meaning clearly.
Pitfall
The plane leveled off of at 10,000 meters.
The plane leveled off at 10,000 meters.
Learners sometimes add 'of' after 'off' by mistake; the particle 'off' should be followed directly by a preposition like 'at'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
level + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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