balance

bal|ance1 [ `bæləns ] noun ***

▸ 1 ability to stay upright

▸ 2 correct relationship

▸ 3 mental/emotional calm

▸ 4 money in bank

▸ 5 amount remaining

▸ 6 majority of information

▸ 7 for weighing things

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) uncount the ability to remain steady in an upright position:

An ear infection is affecting his balance.

a ) a position in which your body remains steady and upright:

lose your balance: He lost his balance and tipped backward in the chair.

keep your balance: She grabbed at him to keep her balance.

2. ) count or uncount a situation in which different aspects or features are treated equally or exist in the correct relationship to each other:

balance between: It can be hard to find the right balance between advising your children and controlling them.

balance of: A healthy diet is about getting the correct balance of a variety of foods.

strike a balance (=achieve a good balance): We want the classes to be both enjoyable and useful we're trying to strike the right balance.

upset/alter the balance: These creatures have upset the delicate ecological balance in the lake.

a ) singular a force, influence, or idea that is completely different from another but combines well with it:

balance to: His conservatism is the perfect balance to her outgoing personality.

3. ) uncount mental or emotional calm:

She quickly recovered her balance after the outburst.

4. ) count the amount of money you have in your bank account:

The current balance in your checking account is $1,182.

a ) singular the amount of money that you owe after paying part of the cost of something:

You pay a deposit now and the balance in 12 months.

5. ) singular the amount of something that remains after part has been used:

balance of: You can use the balance of the time to finish the assignment.

6. ) singular the majority of information, opinions, or facts:

The balance of public opinion was against the proposal.

tilt/shift the balance: The balance has shifted in favor of the president.

=> TIP 2

7. ) count a piece of equipment used for weighing things, consisting of a bar with a small dish at each end

be/hang in the balance

if something is in the balance, you do not know whether it will succeed or fail:

Jack's career is hanging in the balance while they consider what to do.

off balance

1. ) not steady or upright, for example because more weight is on one side:

That wheel is off balance.

throw/knock someone/something off balance: He kept pulling my arm, throwing me off balance.

2. ) surprised, upset, or confused by something:

throw/knock/catch someone off balance: I was thrown completely off balance by Anna's reply.

on balance

after considering all the relevant facts:

On balance, I think we made the right decision.

balance

bal|ance 2 [ `bæləns ] verb **

1. ) intransitive to keep your body steady without falling over

a ) transitive to put something somewhere carefully so that it is steady and does not fall:

We all sat with plates balanced on our knees.

b ) intransitive to be steady in a position where it is possible to fall:

Jean went out, the tray balancing precariously in one hand.

2. ) transitive to create or preserve a good or correct balance between different features or aspects:

We have to balance the needs and tastes of all our customers.

balance something with/against something: There is a need to balance the demands of the workplace with those of family life.

Development has to be balanced against environmental concerns.

3. ) balance or balance out transitive to reduce the effect, strength, or amount of something, and as a result make it better: OFFSET:

The dark colors are balanced by the brightness of the walls.

balance the budget/books

1. ) to spend no more money than you receive

2. ) to do calculations to check or show that you have not spent more money than you have received

,balance `out phrasal verb intransitive or transitive

same as BALANCE 2 3:

The tangy fruit balances out the creaminess of the sauce.

Don't worry; it'll all balance out in the end.