One’s utmost to get even? (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
level best
'one's' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.
'utmost to get even?' is the wordplay.
'utmost' becomes 'best' (I've seen this in another clue).
'to get' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'even?' becomes 'level' (similar in meaning).
'best' put after 'level' is 'LEVEL BEST'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for level best that I've seen before include "Hardest" , "joint winners?" , "Maximum efforts" , "Utmost effort" .)