2balance verb
balances; balanced; balanc·ing 1 : to make (something, such as a plate or your body) steady by keeping weight equal on all sides [+ obj] — usually + on ▪ The waiters balanced the food on large trays. ▪ She learned to walk while balancing a book on her head. ▪ Can you balance a spoon on your nose? [no obj] ▪ I find it difficult to balance on one foot. ▪ He had trouble balancing on his skis. ▪ He helped his daughter balance on her bicycle before she started peddling. — see also balancing act at 1act 2 a [+ obj] : to adjust (an account or budget) so that the amount of money available is more than or equal to the amount of money that has been spent
▪ The legislature is still trying to balance the state's budget. ▪ a balanced budget
b : to check and make adjustments to financial records so that they are accurate [+ obj] ▪ He balances his checkbook every month. ▪ The company hasn't done a good job balancing the books. [=keeping a record of the money it spends and earns] [no obj] ▪ Something's wrong: the books don't balance. 3 [+ obj] : to make (different or opposite things) equal in strength or importance
▪ She's able to balance her career with her family life. = She balances work and family. ▪ The group is balanced between new and old members. [=the group had an equal number of new and old members] — see also balance out 2 (below) 4 [+ obj] : to make (a different or opposite thing) less powerful, noticeable, etc.
▪ Serve black coffee to help balance the sweetness of the dessert. ▪ His quickness will balance [=compensate for, make up for] the other fighter's greater strength. ▪ The movie's serious subject matter is balanced [=offset] with humor. ▪ His sadness was balanced by memories of happier days. — see also balance out 1 (below) 5 [+ obj] : to think about (different things) and decide which is better or more important — usually + against or with ▪ Their fears must be balanced [=weighed] against the need for change. ▪ A national government must balance [=compare] the needs of individuals with/against the needs of the entire country. ▪ They'll have to balance the risks with the rewards. [=they'll have to decide if the possible good results are worth the possible bad results]
▪ The legislature is still trying to balance the state's budget. ▪ a balanced budget
b : to check and make adjustments to financial records so that they are accurate [+ obj] ▪ He balances his checkbook every month. ▪ The company hasn't done a good job balancing the books. [=keeping a record of the money it spends and earns] [no obj] ▪ Something's wrong: the books don't balance.
▪ She's able to balance her career with her family life. = She balances work and family. ▪ The group is balanced between new and old members. [=the group had an equal number of new and old members] — see also balance out 2 (below)
▪ Serve black coffee to help balance the sweetness of the dessert. ▪ His quickness will balance [=compensate for, make up for] the other fighter's greater strength. ▪ The movie's serious subject matter is balanced [=offset] with humor. ▪ His sadness was balanced by memories of happier days. — see also balance out 1 (below)
balance out [phrasal verb] 1 balance out (something) or balance (something) out : to make (a different or opposite thing) less powerful, noticeable, etc.
▪ Serve black coffee to help balance out the sweetness of the dessert. ▪ His quickness will balance out [=compensate for, make up for] the other fighter's greater strength. ▪ The discount balances out the shipping charge. = The discount and the shipping charge balance each other out. [=the shipping charge and the discount together equal zero] — see also 2balance 4 (above) 2 : to be or become equal or even
▪ The good times and the bad times balanced out [=evened out] in the end. — see also 2balance 3 (above)
▪ Serve black coffee to help balance out the sweetness of the dessert. ▪ His quickness will balance out [=compensate for, make up for] the other fighter's greater strength. ▪ The discount balances out the shipping charge. = The discount and the shipping charge balance each other out. [=the shipping charge and the discount together equal zero] — see also 2balance 4 (above)
▪ The good times and the bad times balanced out [=evened out] in the end. — see also 2balance 3 (above)
