tip the balance

1. Also, tip the scales; turn the scale. Offset the balance and thereby favor one side or precipitate an action. For example, He felt that affirmative action had tipped the balance slightly in favor of minority groups, or New high-tech weapons definitely tipped the scales in the Gulf War, or Just one more mistake will turn the scale against them. Shakespeare used turn the scale literally in Measure for Measure (4:2): “You weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale.” The idioms with tip are much younger, dating from the first half of the 1900s.

Example Sentences

Quantum devices, potentially working together, could tip the balance, proponents say.

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Statehood would require approval from Congress—a tricky prospect if lawmakers think adding two senators and a voting representative would tip the balance of power in Washington.

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Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House and an increase or decrease in the number of Black majority districts could help tip the balance in the November 2026 midterm elections, when all 435 seats in the chamber will be up for grabs.

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Having more districts across the US that favour a political party could tip the balance of power in the US House of Representatives - and both Republicans and Democrats now want to win that advantage for themselves.

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After so long out injured, it was only to be expected that Neymar would run into muscular problems, and he will need much more time on the field to ease his way back to a level where he can tip the balance.

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