lose balance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose balance" is perfectly correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used in describing physical movements, such as stumbling or falling over. Example: As she stepped onto the icy sidewalk, she lost her balance and fell onto her hands and knees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can lose balance and perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

Jerked forward, lose balance once more.

The Guardian - Books

Then we lowered our feet in slowly, trying hard not to lose balance and slip all the way in.

The New York Times - Travel

Now, the time from when I lose balance until I hit the ground seems an eternity, long enough to play though every possible bone-breaking scenario and recall every bit of terrifying advice I've picked up over the years.

The New York Times

When children get their hands on the goodies they can become lethargic or agitated, vomit and lose balance, triggering a hospital visit or a frightened call to a poison center.

The New York Times - Health

You lose balance and plummet to your death.

Forbes

Therefore, the slippage of EPRA will not last long and not cause robot to lose balance.

ROBOMECH Journal

Even a small contact can make you lose balance and that can be difficult to judge.

BBC

Moreover, persons with cervical SCI lose balance with a lower impact than persons with thoracic SCI [35,36].

Sports Medicine - Open

Persons with thoracic SCI do lose balance in perturbations in both the frontal and the lateral directions with this impact.

Sports Medicine - Open

Walk alongside them each step to insure if they do lose balance, you are right there to prevent a fall.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific event, consider using more descriptive verbs like "stumble", "trip", or "topple" to provide a clearer picture of how someone "lose balance".

Common error

Avoid using "lose balance" metaphorically when describing abstract concepts such as budgets or arguments. Opt for terms like "become unstable" or "fall apart" instead. Metaphorical expressions should be used carefully to avoid confusing readers.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lose balance" is a verb phrase, acting as the predicate in a clause. It describes the action of becoming unsteady. As shown in Ludwig, it accurately depicts the condition of losing physical stability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

30%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose balance" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of becoming unsteady. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used in physical contexts related to falling or stumbling. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various situations, from news reports to scientific discussions. While versatile, consider using more descriptive verbs to enhance clarity. The related phrases, such as "stumble" or "lose footing", provide more specific meanings for richer expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose equilibrium

This is a more formal and scientific way of saying "lose balance".

lose footing

This refers specifically to losing grip or stability with one's feet.

stumble

This implies a momentary loss of balance while walking or running.

become off-balance

This emphasizes the state of being imbalanced rather than the action of losing it.

become unsteady

This suggests a gradual process of losing stability rather than a sudden event.

waver

This suggests a side-to-side movement before potentially losing balance.

trip over

This suggests an external obstacle caused the loss of balance.

falter

This implies a hesitation or stumble due to a loss of balance or confidence.

fall over

This indicates a complete loss of balance resulting in a fall.

topple over

This suggests falling from a vertical or upright position.

FAQs

How can I use "lose balance" in a sentence?

You can use "lose balance" to describe a physical action where someone becomes unsteady and risks falling, such as, "She stepped on the ice and almost "lost her balance"".

What can I say instead of "lose balance"?

You can use alternatives like "stumble", "lose footing", or "become unsteady" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lose balance" or "lost balance"?

The choice between "lose balance" and "lost balance" depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "lose balance" for present or future actions (e.g., "If you're not careful, you'll lose balance"). Use "lost balance" for past actions (e.g., "He lost balance and fell").

What's the difference between "lose balance" and "lose equilibrium"?

"Lose balance" is a more common and general term, while "lose equilibrium" is a more formal and scientific way of describing the same phenomenon. They are largely interchangeable, but "lose equilibrium" is less frequently used in everyday conversation.