tip the scale
To change the fortunes, either positively or negatively.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His late goal helped tip the scale in our favor.”
“The candidate's strong performance in the final debate helped tip the scale in his favor just before the election.”
“The sudden arrival of reinforcements served to tip the scale, ultimately securing a decisive victory for the weary army.”
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arse over tip
Tumbling or falling; upside-down.
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off the scale
Far in excess of what is normal or measurable.
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pro tip
A useful piece of advice.
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returns to scale
a function describing how returns scale when production increases in the long run
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thumb on the scale
An act of bias or a tactic for cheating which creates a situation that unfairly benefits one party involved in an interaction.
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tip of the hat
A gesture of acknowledgement; often, an expression of gratitude; originally by doffing one's hat.
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tip of the ice cube
The first aspect of an insignificant or exaggerated problem or situation.
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tip of the iceberg
A small indication of a larger possibility; the first part encountered of a problem that is much bigger than it seems.
Last updated August 10, 2026