# throw off balance

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/throw-off-balance
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To unsettle, to catch by surprise.

## Examples

- The sudden question threw me off balance.
- The unexpected news about the company merger threw the entire team off balance during the morning meeting.
- His sudden change in tone during the debate threw the opponent off balance, leaving him unable to formulate a coherent response.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.