out of balance

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of balance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is not in equilibrium or is lacking harmony. For example, "The budget was out of balance, with expenses significantly exceeding income."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Today's Army is out of balance," Cody said.

The New Yorker

Something was very wrong, very out of balance".

The New York Times

Over time, things get out of balance.

The New York Times

Chemicals are out of balance.

The Guardian

It seemed out of balance.

The New York Times

You never want that out of balance.

The New York Times

My life was crazily out of balance.

The Guardian

The Earth is currently out of balance.

The Guardian

Otherwise, he'll be out of balance".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cells that are initially out-of-balance will go further out-of-balance at an ever-increasing rate.

Journal of Power Sources

An out-of-balance mix does not work.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of balance", ensure the context clearly indicates what elements are not in equilibrium. For example, specify whether it's a budget, a relationship, or a chemical composition that is affected.

Common error

Avoid using "out of balance" without clearly specifying what is imbalanced. Saying "things are out of balance" is less effective than stating "the work-life balance is out of balance, leading to burnout".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of balance" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe a state of disequilibrium or lack of harmony. Ludwig examples show it describing budgets, ecosystems, and even personal lives. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of balance" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a state of disequilibrium or lack of harmony. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It appears frequently across various contexts, from news and media to academic and business settings, highlighting its adaptability. When using "out of balance", clarity is key; specify what exactly is not in equilibrium to avoid vagueness. Consider using synonyms like "unbalanced" or "in disequilibrium" depending on the specific context and desired formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unbalanced

This is a direct adjective synonym, implying a lack of balance or equilibrium.

in disequilibrium

This phrase suggests a disruption of equilibrium, often used in scientific or formal contexts.

uneven

This term indicates a lack of uniformity or equality, implying a kind of imbalance.

lopsided

This suggests that one side is disproportionately weighted or favored.

askew

This term is more about physical displacement or misalignment, but can also be used metaphorically.

deranged

This term means disturbed or disordered, suggesting a more extreme form of imbalance.

in chaos

Suggests a complete lack of order or balance, often implying disruption and unpredictability.

destabilized

This indicates that something has been made unstable or prone to change.

disproportionate

This term highlights an imbalance in terms of ratios or quantities.

not in sync

This suggests a lack of coordination or harmony.

FAQs

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

You can use "out of balance" to describe situations where equilibrium or harmony is disrupted. For example, "The ecosystem is "out of balance" due to pollution" or "His personal and professional lives were "out of balance"".

What are some alternatives to "out of balance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unbalanced", "in disequilibrium", or "uneven".

Is it correct to say something is "drastically out of balance"?

Yes, "drastically out of balance" is a valid and emphatic way to describe a severe lack of equilibrium. It suggests a significant deviation from the norm or desired state.

What does it mean when someone says their life is "out of balance"?

It usually means that the different aspects of their life, such as work, family, and personal time, are not in a healthy or sustainable equilibrium. This can lead to stress and burnout.