KEEP SCORE
What is the Meaning of the Expressions
KEEP SCORE / THE SCORE IS EVEN / CONSIDER IT EVEN / WE’RE EVEN?
English teaching for English Language Learners (ELL) who are learning to speak English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Definition:
Sometimes in English we talk about keeping score.
This is a sports analogy. In sports you can earn and lose points.
When you keep score in life, you remember the good and bad things that happen in your interactions with others.
In these expressions, even means equal.
Example 1:
Imagine we go out together for lunch and I pay for your lunch. A month later, we go out for lunch again, and I get out my wallet to pay for your lunch again.
You stop me and say, “No. You paid last time; it’s my turn.”
I might say, “Oh, that doesn’t matter. I’m not keeping score.”
Example 2:
Two friends go out for lunch. As they are eating lunch, Sue eats several of John’s fries. John does not buy dessert. Sue divides her dessert in two and gives half of it to John. “Here,” she says. “Consider it even.”
