be thrown off balance

be thrown off balance is an idiom used by many writers. When idioms are used in the right place, they open the doors of effective communication and increase your descriptive power. In this way, you will be better understood. The meaning of the expression be thrown off balance is also remarkable in this respect.

Meaning of "be thrown off balance"

Meaning

To “be thrown off balance” is an idiom which means to be taken off guard, to be surprised or disturbed by something unexpected. It suggests the feeling of being staggering or off kilter, as though someone has been struck or knocked down. It is also used to describe a person who is upset or disoriented, whether it be emotionally or mentally.

Etymology

The phrase “be thrown off balance” dates back to the beginning of the 1600s and is derived from the literal definition of the word “balance.” Generally, when someone is “in balance,” they are in equilibrium and can make decisions without feeling overwhelmed by external stimulus or emotional turmoil. Thus, when someone is “thrown off balance,” his or her composure has been disrupted and he or she can no longer function in a structured manner.

Usage

The phrase “be thrown off balance” is most often used in an informal context and is often used in sentences like “he was thrown off balance by the news” or “the news threw her off balance.” It is frequently used to talk about someone’s emotional responses to something unexpected or surprising. It can also be used to describe someone who is feeling overwhelmed or out of sorts due to a certain situation.

Example Sentences

• The thunderstorm outside the window threw me off balance and I had a hard time concentrating on the task at hand.
• He was thrown off balance when he heard the news that his best friend had betrayed him.
• The sudden loss of her job threw her off balance, and she was unsure how to move forward.
• I was thrown off balance when I saw her after so many years.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.