ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tip the scale

idiom
Meaning

To change the fortunes, either positively or negatively.


Examples
SIMPLE

His late goal helped tip the scale in our favor.

CONTEXTUAL

The candidate's strong performance in the final debate helped tip the scale in his favor just before the election.

COMPLEX

The sudden arrival of reinforcements served to tip the scale, ultimately securing a decisive victory for the weary army.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    arse over tip

    Tumbling or falling; upside-down.

  2. 02

    off the scale

    Far in excess of what is normal or measurable.

  3. 03

    pro tip

    A useful piece of advice.

  4. 04

    returns to scale

    a function describing how returns scale when production increases in the long run

  5. 05

    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.

  6. 06

    tip of the hat

    A gesture of acknowledgement; often, an expression of gratitude; originally by doffing one's hat.

  7. 07

    tip of the ice cube

    The first aspect of an insignificant or exaggerated problem or situation.

  8. 08

    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.

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