off balance
About to topple
Off balance describes a state of physical or mental instability.
Literally, it means not properly centered—The blow knocked him off balance.
Figuratively, it suggests being caught unprepared or disoriented: The unexpected question threw her off balance.
To catch someone off balance is to surprise them at a disadvantage.
- stumblingWalking clumsily, almost falling
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
- lurchingMoving unsteadily, abruptly
- disorientedLacking sense of direction
- wobblyTending to teeter
losing footing · tipping over · unstable · unsteady · on shaky ground · aslant · swaying · sea legs · disrupted · precarious · asymmetrical · unsettled · faltering · confused · thrown · skewed · wrongfooted · out of step
off balancebalanced
In a state of equilibrium
stable · steady · grounded · centered · sure-footed
off balancecomposed
Calm and self-possessed
centered · poised · collected · unflappable · steady
off balancebalanced
In a state of equilibrium
even · proportional · symmetrical · equalized · harmonious
off, balance, balanced, unbalanced, imbalance, balancing, balances, counterbalance, imbalances