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

The Alabama defense works to throw the quarterback off balance.

From Los Angeles Times

“Copenhagen” taps the adrenal gland by keeping viewers off balance about who is who and what is what, beginning with the opening subtitles: President—and former CIA director—George H.W.

From The Wall Street Journal

On “The Bear,” his last guest star role, Albert Schnur knocks our trust off balance by swooping into Ebra’s life, expecting to find disorganization, and enthusiastically respecting that Ebra has his act together.

From Salon

He repeatedly and smartly got Pasadena players off balance and fouling with pump fakes.

From Los Angeles Times

Formally and dramatically, the movie has poise, which only strengthens its depiction of girls thrown off balance by growing up.

From The Wall Street Journal