in the balance
Could go either
When something is in the balance, its outcome remains uncertain and could go either way.
The phrase evokes the image of a balance scale hovering at equilibrium, not yet tipped toward success or failure.
It typically describes high-stakes situations where important matters await resolution: With the election results still coming in, control of the Senate hung in the balance.
Her career was in the balance as the committee deliberated.
- outcomeFinal result of events
- pendingAwaiting resolution or decision
- hanging firePostponed, unresolved, stalled
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
jeopardy · life or death · consequence · knife-edge · razor's edge · unresolved · hold · choice · make or break · precarious · touch-and-go · on thin ice · scale · stakes · danger · on the line · hanging by a thread · nail biter
- risk phrasestake a chance, take a gamble, risk it all, go for broke, roll the dice
- turning pointsturning point, defining moment, pivotal event, pivotal moment, crossroads
in the balancesettled
No longer in question
decided · resolved · certain · determined · concluded
in the balancesafe
Free from peril
secure · guaranteed · out of danger · assured · protected
balance, balanced, unbalanced, imbalance, balancing, balances, rebalance, counterbalanced