tip the balance

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

The four overseas seats held by Denmark's two autonomous territories -- two for Greenland and two for the Faroe Islands -- could tip the balance if the election result is very close.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

In those moments, would jarred garlic, a squeeze tube of paste, or even garlic powder tip the balance?

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

Backed by Iran, its fighters have gained experience during Syria’s 13-year conflict in which they helped tip the balance of power in favor of government forces.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2024

But they must attack right away, Ludendorff insisted, before the Americans arrived to tip the balance.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman