strike a balance

Idioms  

1. Find a compromise, as in We have to strike a balance between what we want and what we can afford. This expression alludes to accounting, where it signifies finding a profit or loss by weighing income versus outlay. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

Raman, who co-authored the new book “Open to Work” with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky, said employees need to strike a balance between driving AI efficiencies and showing an entrepreneurial mindset.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

It demonstrates how city authorities across the country are having to strike a balance between offering hassle-free e-bike and e-scooter hire, while keeping all other road users on board.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

But Interior Minister Laurent Nunez declined to ban the rally, arguing that he had to "strike a balance between maintaining public order and freedom of expression" and pledging an "extremely large police deployment".

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

The lender is looking to strike a balance between expanding its top and bottom lines while continuing to hand excess capital to shareholders at a time when interest rates have come down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

The various well temperament tunings that were very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries tried to strike a balance between staying close to pure intervals and avoiding wolf intervals.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones