throw off balance
Make someone wobble
To throw off balance is to destabilize someone or something, either physically or figuratively.
Literally, it means to upset someone's equilibrium so they stumble or fall.
More often it describes disrupting someone's composure or mental steadiness: The unexpected question threw her off balance.
The phrase suggests catching someone unprepared, making them less effective or confident than usual.
- confoundTo thoroughly puzzle
- flusterAgitated confusion
- perplexCause utter confusion
- rattleShaking sound maker
- unsettleCause unease or anxiety
catch off guard · knock for a loop · nonplus · unsteady · destabilize · puzzle · derail · upset · take by surprise · disconcert · disorient · unbalance · befuddle · discombobulate · shake up · discompose · distract · wrongfoot
throw off balancestabilize
Make firm or constant
equilibrate · harmonize · regulate · right the ship · recalibrate
throw, balance, throws, threw, thrown, throwing, thrower, balanced, balances