balance

Universal Words noun, verb noun equal amounts 1 [U,sing.] ~ (between A and B) a situation in which different things exist in equal, correct or good amounts: Try to keep a balance between work and relaxation. * This newspaper maintains a good balance in its presentation of different opinions. * Tourists often disturb the delicate balance of nature on the island. * His wife's death disturbed the balance of his mind. of body 2 [U] the ability to keep steady with an equal amount of weight on each side of the body: Athletes need a good sense of balance. * I struggled to keep my balance on my new skates. * She cycled round the corner, lost her balance and fell off. money 3 [C,usually sing.] the amount that is left after taking numbers or money away from a total: to check your bank balance (= to find out how much money there is in your account) 4 [C,usually sing.] an amount of money still owed after some payment has been made: The balance of $500 must be paid within 90 days. instrument for weighing 5 [C] an instrument for weighing things, with a bar that is supported in the middle and has dishes hanging from each end IDIOMS (on) the balance of evidence / probability (formal) (considering) the evidence on both sides of an argument, to find the most likely reason for or result of sth: The balance of evidence suggests the Liberal party's decline began before the First World War. (be / hang) in the balance if the future of sth/sb, or the result of sth is/hangs in the balance, it is uncertain: The long-term future of the space programme hangs in the balance. * Tom's life hung in the balance for two weeks as he lay in a coma. (catch / throw sb) off balance 1 to make sb/sth unsteady and in danger of falling: I was thrown off balance by the sudden gust of wind. 2 to make sb surprised and no longer calm: The senator was clearly caught off balance by the unexpected question. on balance after considering all the information: On balance, the company has had a successful year. moreatREDRESSv., STRIKEv., SWINGv., TIPv. verb keep steady 1 ~ (sth) (on sth) to put your body or sth else into a position where it is steady and does not fall: [V] How long can you balance on one leg? * [VN] The television was precariously balanced on top of a pile of books. * She balanced the cup on her knee. be / keep equal 2 ~ (sth) (out) to be equal in value, amount, etc. to sth else that has the opposite effect SYNOFFSET: [VN] This year's profits will balance our previous losses. * His lack of experience was balanced by a willingness to learn. * [V] The good and bad effects of any decision will usually balance out. 3 [VN] ~ A with / and B to give equal importance to two contrasting things or parts of sth: She tries to balance home life and career. compare 4 ~ A against B to compare the relative importance of two contrasting things: The cost of obtaining legal advice needs to be balanced against its benefits. money 5 [VN] (finance) to show that in an account the total money spent is equal to the total money received; to calculate the difference between the two totals