balance
Ability to stay upright
When you can stand or move without falling.
to keep/lose/regain [one's] balance
- She lost her balance and fell off the step.
- Gymnasts need excellent balance to perform on the beam.
- I put my arms out to keep my balance on the ice.
- He stumbled but quickly regained his balance.
- The child stood on one foot to test his balance.
- I lost my balance and fell.
- He has good balance when he rides a bike.
- Hold my hand to keep your balance.
- The cat has great balance on the wall.
State of equality between things
When different things have the same importance, amount, or strength.
a balance between [thing] and [thing]
- It's important to keep a healthy work-life balance.
- The new law seeks a balance between freedom and security.
- We must strike a balance between cost and quality.
- Nature maintains a delicate balance between species.
- Her life lacked balance after she started working long hours.
- I need a better balance between work and rest.
- We try to keep a balance in our diet.
- He found a good balance between study and play.
- The teacher wants a balance of speaking and listening in class.
Money remaining in account
The money left in your bank account, or the amount you still need to pay.
the balance of [account/payment]
- You should check your account balance regularly.
- The outstanding balance must be paid by the end of the month.
- After paying the bill, she had a small balance left in her account.
- Your current balance is $245.50.
- He transferred the remaining balance to his savings account.
- I checked my bank balance today.
- My account balance is low.
- Please pay the full balance by Monday.
- She has a big balance on her credit card.
Keep something steady and upright
To hold or place something so it does not fall.
to balance [something] on [something]
- She balanced the tray on one hand.
- He balanced the ladder against the wall.
- The acrobat balanced on the tightrope with ease.
- Can you balance this book on your head?
- He balanced his bike while waiting at the traffic light.
- I can balance a ball on my finger.
- He balanced the cup on the table edge.
- She balanced on one leg for ten seconds.
- They balanced the box on a chair.
Make things equal or fair
To make two or more things have the same importance or amount.
to balance [thing] with [thing]
- She tries to balance her career with raising children.
- We must balance economic growth with environmental protection.
- The manager balanced the budget by cutting costs.
- He balanced his time between work and hobbies.
- They are balancing tradition with modern needs.
- I want to balance work and play.
- She balances school with sports.
- We need to balance cost and quality.
- He balances study with rest.
- Base: balance
- Plural: balance, balances
- Base: balance
- 3rd Person Singular: balances
- Present Participle: balancing
- Past: balanced
hang in the balance
1Be at serious risk until decided
To be in danger of failing until something is decided.
- The team's hopes hang in the balance before the final match.
- Peace talks hang in the balance after recent violence.
in the balance
1Uncertain and at risk until decided
Not yet decided and could end well or badly.
- His future with the company hangs in the balance.
- The game was in the balance until the last minute.
keep your balance
1Stay steady without falling over
To stay standing without falling down.
- It's hard to keep your balance on ice skates.
- He kept his balance despite the strong wind.
strike a balance
1Find middle point between extremes
To find a way to have two different things in equal amounts or importance.
- Parents must strike a balance between discipline and freedom.
- We need to strike a balance between spending and saving.
throw someone off balance
1Cause loss of steadiness suddenly
To make someone lose their physical stability or feel surprised and confused.
- The sudden question threw her off balance.
- The push threw him off balance and he fell.