ENGLISH
REFERENCE

turn the scale

idiom
Meaning

To decide or determine a balanced situation.


Examples
SIMPLE

His final goal helped turn the scale for our team.

CONTEXTUAL

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

COMPLEX

Although the committee remained deeply divided for hours, the chairperson's unexpected endorsement finally served to turn the scale toward a unanimous decision.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    Buggins's turn

    A humorous, disparaging term for the appointment of a person by rotation or promotion, on the basis of length of service (it being that person's "turn") rather than merit or level of qualification.

  2. 02

    good turn

    A good deed; a thoughtful or selfless act.

  3. 03

    left turn

    An unexpected change from the way things seemed to be going.

  4. 04

    off the scale

    Far in excess of what is normal or measurable.

  5. 05

    returns to scale

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

  6. 06

    serve the turn

    To suffice for one's immediate purpose or need.

  7. 07

    star turn

    An acting performance which causes the performer to become renowned.

  8. 08

    take a turn

    Change in direction, tone, or tendency.

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