got the balance wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got the balance wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone has misjudged or miscalculated the appropriate amount or degree of something. Example: "In her analysis of the budget, she realized she had got the balance wrong, leading to overspending in certain areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But tonight, he has got the balance wrong.

The Guardian

"In the case of Argentina, we seem to have got the balance wrong," said the IMF.

The Guardian - Opinion

We've got the balance wrong and it shows in the strain on resources, our own expanding midrifts and in waste.

The Guardian

He claimed that Scots were worried about the undue influence of the European Court and felt that the current system "got the balance wrong between rights and responsibilities".

Independent

Plenty of people think General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. got the balance wrong, rewarding too many aging veterans with lucrative long-term contracts.

The New York Times - Sports

He added: "I think people in Scotland share the concerns that have been voiced across the UK that we have got the balance wrong between rights and responsibilities".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's easy to get the balance wrong.

Harvard Business Review

Yet Elbaz was often seen to get the balance wrong.

The Guardian

Get the balance wrong and you end up in the pretentious mire of 70s progressive rock.

The Guardian - Music

Today sees the publication of our report Database State, which shows how government systems are increasingly getting the balance wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

In either setting, getting the balance wrong can turn a well-meant effort to foster creative collaboration into a frustrating lesson in unintended consequences.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "got the balance wrong", ensure the context clearly indicates what elements are out of balance and what the consequences are. Provide specific examples to illustrate the imbalance.

Common error

Avoid using "got the balance wrong" without specifying what is out of balance. For example, instead of saying "The project got the balance wrong", specify "The project got the balance wrong between development time and testing, leading to bugs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got the balance wrong" functions as a descriptor indicating a failure to achieve equilibrium or proper proportion. It often conveys a critical assessment of a decision or situation, highlighting a misjudgment in prioritizing or allocating resources. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got the balance wrong" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a failure in achieving equilibrium or proper proportion between different elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English and finds frequent use across various contexts, including news and media, formal business communications, and even wiki articles. Common errors include using the phrase without clearly specifying what elements are imbalanced. Alternatives include "misjudged the equilibrium" or "failed to strike the proper balance", offering more formal options. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it versatile for diverse communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not strike the proper balance

A more formal way of expressing the idea that something is not balanced.

misjudged the equilibrium

Implies an incorrect assessment of a state of equilibrium, often in a more formal context.

got the proportions skewed

Focuses on how the sizes or amounts of things relative to each other are wrong.

erred in the assessment of balance

Suggests a formal or critical error in evaluating the relative importance of different factors.

lost the sense of proportion

Focuses on the idea of exaggerating or diminishing the importance of something.

missed the sweet spot

This refers to failing to hit the optimal point in an activity.

failed to find the right compromise

Emphasizes the lack of a satisfactory middle ground between conflicting needs or desires.

tips the scale

It implies that something causes an imbalance.

messed up the equation

Indicates that someone has made a mistake in a situation where multiple elements had to be considered.

overdid it

The degree of something is excessive or has been exaggerated.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "got the balance wrong"?

Saying someone "got the balance wrong" means they failed to find an appropriate equilibrium or compromise between different elements, resulting in an undesirable outcome. It indicates a misjudgment in allocating resources, priorities, or considerations.

How can I use "got the balance wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "got the balance wrong" to describe situations where decisions or actions have led to an imbalance. For example, "The government "got the balance wrong" in its economic policies, favoring short-term gains over long-term stability".

Are there more formal alternatives to "got the balance wrong"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "misjudged the equilibrium", "failed to strike the proper balance", or "erred in the assessment of balance". These options are suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is it grammatically correct to say "get the balance wrong"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. You can also use variations like "getting the balance wrong" or "gets the balance wrong" depending on the tense and subject of your sentence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage.