off balance

Idioms  

1. Out of equilibrium, unsteady, as in When learning how to ride a two-wheeler, it's easy to get off balance and fall , or She stood up and threw the canoe off balance . [Mid-1900s]

2. Surprised, unprepared, as in The teacher gives unannounced tests to keep the class off balance . [Second half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

“But the off-speed was not as good tonight. So it just made it where I didn’t have as much to keep guys off balance.”

From Washington Post

“When he’s got more fastball, he can power past it, but when he doesn’t, he can pitch. He can keep you off balance, get soft contact and still get some swings and misses. His breaking ball was good. He started his secondary pitches for strikes as the game went on. I think that was the difference.”

From Washington Times

Although Ukraine has deviated from the usual secrecy surrounding military plans by talking openly about the coming battle — in part because Ukrainian leaders need to drum up morale and pressure the West for weapons — U.S. officials expect Ukraine’s army will use deception and feints to throw the Russians off balance.

From New York Times

But she added, “No matter what our feelings are about breastfeeding, there is a primal or visceral connection to it, so it’s a good way to get an audience off balance.”

From New York Times

She felt “off balance,” and dizziness is one indication that a stroke has occurred.

From Slate