Tip the balance


Also, tip the scales; turn the scale. Offset the balance and thereby favor one side or precipitate an action. For example, He felt that affirmative action had tipped the balance slightly in favor of minority groups, or New high-tech weapons definitely tipped the scales in the Gulf War, or Just one more mistake will turn the scale against them. Shakespeare used turn the scale literally in Measure for Measure (4:2): “You weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale.” The idioms with tip are much younger, dating from the first half of the 1900s.

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  • Tip the elbow

    bend the elbow tipster

  • Tip-the-scale

    noun 1. Often, scales. a balance or any of various other instruments or devices for weighing: We gave the parents a baby scale. The butcher placed the meat on the scales. 2. Also called scalepan. either of the pans or dishes of a balance. 3. Scales, Astronomy, Astrology. the constellation or sign of Libra; Balance. […]

  • Tip-tilted

    adjective 1. (of a nose) slightly turned up

  • Tiptoe

    noun 1. the tip or end of a toe. verb (used without object), tiptoed, tiptoeing. 2. to move or go on tiptoe, as with caution or stealth: She tiptoed out of the room. adjective 3. characterized by standing or walking on tiptoe. 4. straining upward. 5. eagerly expectant. 6. cautious; stealthy. adverb 7. eagerly or […]

  • Tiptoeing

    noun 1. the tip or end of a toe. verb (used without object), tiptoed, tiptoeing. 2. to move or go on tiptoe, as with caution or stealth: She tiptoed out of the room. adjective 3. characterized by standing or walking on tiptoe. 4. straining upward. 5. eagerly expectant. 6. cautious; stealthy. adverb 7. eagerly or […]


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