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off balance

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off balance

surprised or confused Policy makers were caught off balance by the speed and success of Canada's efforts to ban the weapons.

Usage notes: often used with keep or throw: The stories were part of an effort to keep the antiwar movement off balance.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of off balance (likely to fall)

See also: balance, off

off balance

1. Out of equilibrium, unsteady, as in When learning how to ride a two-wheeler, it's easy to get off balance and fall, or She stood up and threw the canoe off balance. [Mid-1900s]

2. Surprised, unprepared, as in The teacher gives unannounced tests to keep the class off balance. [Second half of 1900s]

See also: balance, off