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3. go out of kilter

go out of kilter

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go out of kilter

1. To be or become out of equilibrium; to become not straight, level, or aligned properly; to be in a state of chaos or confusion. Between my divorce, the death of my best friend, and the financial troubles at work, it seems like everything in my life has gone out of kilter recently. The economies of nearly every country in the world went out of kilter after the economic collapse.

2. To stop working correctly or properly; to be or become out of order; to be out of w(h)ack. It sounds like your car's engine has gone a bit out of kilter. I'd recommend taking it to a mechanic before you go for any long drives.

See also: kilter, of, out