to balance / equalize / settle
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to balance out
To eliminate a difference, deficit, or inequality so that equilibrium or balance is created.
Er versucht, seine schlechten Noten in Mathe durch gute Leistungen in anderen Fächern auszugleichen.
He is trying to balance out his bad grades in math with good performance in other subjects.
to equalize
In sports, to score a point or goal that creates a tie.
Kurz vor Spielende konnte der Stürmer zum 2:2 ausgleichen.
Shortly before the end of the game, the striker was able to equalize at 2–2.
to settle
To settle a financial debt or an outstanding bill.
Bitte gleichen Sie den offenen Betrag innerhalb von 14 Tagen aus.
Please settle the outstanding amount within 14 days.
to balance out
To come into balance by itself or cancel each other out.
Die Vorteile und Nachteile des Plans gleichen sich am Ende ungefähr aus.
The advantages and disadvantages of the plan roughly balance out in the end.
'Ausgleichen' (to balance/equalize/settle) is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ein Tor gleicht das Spiel wieder aus.
A goal balances the game out again.
The word consists of the prefix 'aus-' and the verb 'gleichen' (to be similar, to be equal). Here, the prefix 'aus-' reinforces the idea of eliminating an imbalance and creating balance.
Mit dem neuen Job konnte er seine finanziellen Probleme ausgleichen.
With the new job, he was able to balance out his financial problems.
A very typical construction is 'etwas (Akkusativ) durch etwas (Akkusativ) ausgleichen' (to balance something out with something). This expresses how a deficiency or disadvantage is compensated for.
Der Sportler gleicht seine fehlende Erfahrung durch großen Ehrgeiz aus.
The athlete balances out his lack of experience with great ambition.
The reflexive form 'sich ausgleichen' (to balance each other out) means that two opposing things cancel each other out. The subject is often plural or describes one thing with two sides.
Die Stärken und Schwächen des Kandidaten gleichen sich ungefähr aus.
The candidate's strengths and weaknesses roughly balance each other out.
In sports, 'ausgleichen' (to equalize) is the standard verb for creating a tie. It is often used with the preposition 'zu' and the new score.
Die Heimmannschaft konnte kurz vor der Pause zum 1:1 ausgleichen.
The home team was able to equalize at 1–1 shortly before halftime.
to pick up / keep / cancel
Sich aufheben and sich ausgleichen describe opposing effects that together become less noticeable or disappear completely. Sich aufheben means complete neutralization. Sich ausgleichen can also refer only to reaching a balance or partially offsetting a difference; choose it when complete ineffectiveness is not meant.
Die unterschiedlichen Interessen gleichen sich in diesem Kompromiss weitgehend aus.
The different interests largely balance each other out in this compromise.
Die gegenläufigen Kräfte heben sich vollständig auf.
The opposing forces completely cancel each other out.
