balance it out

USAGE SUMMARY

"balance it out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to make two opposing sides, or two different things, equal or even. For example: "We have a lot of work coming up this week so try to balance it out by taking some breaks throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wanted to balance it out somehow.

The New York Times

So you have to balance it out".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We wanted to balance it out," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

What if there were more parks to balance it out?

The New Yorker

They're trying to balance it out a little more".

The Guardian - Tech

But you have to balance it out and cut down the suspensions and expulsions".

The New York Times

"I balance it out by reading The New England Journal compulsively," she said.

The New York Times - Health

In order to balance it out, I wear cleaner lines and crisper colors, more monochromatic and more neutral.

The New York Times

"I hope that being in a band will balance it out a little – balance weirdness with coolness".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But absent a legislative record, he said, "anything that happens reflects even worse because there's nothing to balance it out".

The New York Times

"And as we move in that direction, the more we need the rounding of the milk to balance it out".

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "balance it out", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being balanced and with what. For example: "If you eat a heavy meal, balance it out with a light workout."

Common error

Avoid using "balance it out" when there is no clear counterpart or opposing element to create equilibrium. Ensure that the two elements being balanced are logically connected.

Linguistic Context

Balance it out functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an action to equalize or harmonize opposing elements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It signifies creating equilibrium, as demonstrated in various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

27%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "balance it out" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the act of equalizing or offsetting something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what elements are being balanced. Consider using alternatives like "even things out" or "compensate for" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even things out

Focuses on achieving a state of equality or equilibrium.

offset the effect

Highlights the act of counteracting a specific impact.

compensate for

Emphasizes making amends or providing something to counteract a deficiency.

make up for

Similar to compensate, but suggests rectifying a past wrong or deficiency.

counterbalance

A more formal term implying the addition of an opposing force or weight.

neutralize

Suggests rendering something ineffective or harmless through opposition.

equalize

Highlights making things equal in quantity or quality.

level the playing field

An idiomatic expression emphasizing fairness and equal opportunity.

redress the imbalance

Implies correcting an unfair or unjust disparity.

make amends

Focuses on correcting a wrong or injury to restore balance.

FAQs

How can I use "balance it out" in a sentence?

You can use "balance it out" to describe making opposing forces equal, as in "I try to "balance it out" with exercise after eating unhealthy food".

What's a good alternative to "balance it out"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "even things out", "compensate for", or "make up for" as alternatives to "balance it out".

Is it correct to say "balances it out" instead of "balance it out"?

"Balances it out" is the third-person singular present tense form, used when the subject is singular (e.g., "He balances it out"). "Balance it out" is the base form, used with plural subjects or in the imperative mood.

In what contexts is "balance it out" most appropriate?

"Balance it out" is generally appropriate in informal to neutral contexts, such as everyday conversations or news articles. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "counterbalance" or "offset the effect".