break the balance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the balance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to upsetting a careful or delicate balance between two elements. For example: "The recent floods have broken the balance of our fragile ecosystem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If he is serious about his plan, a President Gingrich would break the balance of power that is fundamental to our democracy.

The New York Times

Ever since the "star wars" programme of the 1980s, advocates of anti-missile defence have insisted that it should be possible to break the "balance of terror" logic without alienating Russia.

The Economist

Since the Reagan era's Star Wars project which was intended to break the "balance of terror" by covering America with an anti-missile shield the issue has been intensely divisive.Many Democrats say missile defences are at best a gift to the arms industry, at worst a provocation to Russia.

The Economist

Any change would break the balance (Fig. 8b).

Nanoscale Research Letters

It said the move "would break the balance of power within Europe" and may even "wield influence upon international geopolitics".

BBC

The polarization of the carbon steel electrode will break the balance of the electrode reaction, meanwhile the corrosion potential of the carbon steel electrode changes.

Petroleum Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Though the deadlock in the Convention was now broken, the balance of forces in the country was by no means clear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Very similar symmetry-breaking bubbles, at an earlier period in the universe, are believed to have been responsible for breaking the balance between matter and its opposite antimatter and leaving the universe with a preponderance of matter.

The New York Times - Science

What taxes will these new businesses pay, and how much profit will be allowed before the government steps in? "Things move very slowly in Cuba because they are very, very concerned about breaking the balance of power with economic reforms," said Jorge Sanguinetty, president of the Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy, a research group.

The New York Times

The electron-hole pair would decrease, which breaks the balance.

Nanoscale Research Letters

They play a harmful role in breaking the balance of normal physiological metabolism, causing serious diseases and disrupting reproductive development in wildlife and human beings by inhibiting or imitating the action of normal gonadal hormones.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break the balance", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended level of disruption. Is it a slight upset, or a complete shattering?

Common error

While acceptable, using "break the balance" too frequently in formal writing can sound repetitive. Opt for more nuanced synonyms like "disrupt the equilibrium" or "undermine the stability" for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the balance" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of disrupting a state of equilibrium or stability. It's often found in contexts where a delicate or carefully maintained balance is being upset, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "break the balance" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe the disruption of a stable state. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests its applicability across various contexts, especially in Science and News & Media. While it's a valid phrase, consider using synonyms like "disrupt the equilibrium" or "upset the balance" for more precise or formal writing. The key is to ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the degree and nature of the disruption being described. Keep in mind that even though "break the balance" is perfectly correct, choosing a more specific synonym can enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disrupt the equilibrium

Replaces "break" with "disrupt", focusing on the disturbance of equilibrium.

upset the balance

Substitutes "break" with "upset", highlighting the act of causing imbalance.

disturb the stability

Emphasizes the disturbance of a stable state rather than a general balance.

throw off the equilibrium

Uses a more dynamic verb, "throw off", to suggest a more forceful disruption.

destabilize the situation

Focuses on making a situation unstable, implying a broader context than just balance.

shatter the balance

Uses a more dramatic verb, "shatter", emphasizing a complete and forceful destruction of balance.

undermine the stability

Suggests a gradual weakening of stability, rather than an immediate break.

topple the equilibrium

Suggests a complete overthrow of the existing equilibrium.

compromise the equilibrium

Implies that the equilibrium is being endangered or weakened, not necessarily destroyed.

disrupt the symmetry

Focuses specifically on breaking symmetrical relationships or arrangements.

FAQs

How can I use "break the balance" in a sentence?

You can use "break the balance" to describe situations where a state of equilibrium is disrupted. For example: "The new policy might "disrupt the equilibrium" of the market."

What are some alternatives to "break the balance"?

Alternatives include "disrupt the equilibrium", "upset the balance", or "destabilize the situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "break the balance" formal or informal?

The phrase "break the balance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal or scientific writing, consider alternatives like "disrupt the equilibrium" for a more precise tone.

What does it mean to "break the balance"?

To "break the balance" means to disrupt a state of equilibrium or stability, causing an imbalance. This can apply to various situations, from ecological systems to economic markets.