scale

be thrown into the scale (of something)

obsolete To be added to something in order to increase its importance, relevance, or influence. The conquered nation has been thrown into the scale of the empire's domain, securing yet another region over which it reigns. The government must ensure that any such legislation is thrown into the scale of public confidence. Oh no. Once that damning testimony is thrown into the scale of evidence, the jurors will definitely think he's guilty.

See also: scale, thrown

bud scale

The hard, protective layer surrounding the buds of some plants. Oh, that's just a bud scale—your plant is fine. A: "What are bud scales?" B: "The rhododendron has them—take a look the next time you're outside." I know it looks kind of odd, but the bud scale plays important role in protecting immature buds until they bloom.

See also: bud, scale

on a biblical scale

To a very large extent. We could see death on a biblical scale if this infectious disease turns into a full-blown pandemic.

See also: biblical, on, scale

put (one's) thumb on the scale

To manipulate a situation in order to create an unfair advantage by deceiving others. Likened to a merchant holding a thumb on the scale when weighing goods for sale, therefore increasing the apparent weight and price. You have to suspect that the casinos put their thumb on the scale when it comes to the slot machines. There's no way you're getting fair odds. These giant corporations are constantly putting their thumbs on the scale, using their vast resources to influence public policy in their favor.

See also: on, put, scale, thumb

returns to scale

In economics, the measurement of changes in productivity after all inputs are increased. If this change doesn't result in increasing returns to scale, we're liable to go bankrupt.

See also: return, scale, to

scale (something) to (something else)

1. To ensure that the size of something complements or is proportional to the size of something else. We'll need to scale these photos to the picture frames I picked out. The architect wants to scale the extension to the rest of the house, but I'd really like for it to be quite a bit bigger than he's suggesting.

2. To adjust or design something to have a particular proportional size. Because the picture is a square, it won't scale to a standard 4x6 print unless we crop part of it out. The artist scaled the entire model city to just 1/1000ths of the real New York City, while still maintaining an astounding level of detail and accuracy.

See also: scale, to

scale back

To minimize or reduce something in size or scope. A noun or pronoun can be used between "scale" and "back." With such a dramatic decrease in funding, we're going to have to scale back on our project now.

See also: back, scale

scale down

1. To climb down something. How long do you think it will take us to scale down the mountain?

2. To reduce or decrease something in size or scope. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "scale" and "down." With this sudden decrease in funding, we will have to scale down the project to just five staff members! Can you scale this model down so that it will fit on the boardroom table?

See also: down, scale

scale of charges

The parameters that standardize the prices for certain jobs or tasks. Take a look at the scale of charges and tell us how expensive you think this landscaping project could be for the company.

See also: charge, of, scale

scale off

1. To come off (of something) in flakes or small pieces. The gold paint began to scale off of the statue, revealing the cheap brass beneath. The creature's skin becomes so dry that it starts scaling off in the arid desert air.

2. To remove or cause something to come off in flakes or small pieces. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "scale" and "off." One thing I don't miss about living in Colorado is scaling ice off my windshield at 7 AM during the winter. They gave me a wire brush to scale off rust from the steel plates.

3. To base the proportions of one's drawing off of someone or something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "scale" and "off." I scaled my sketches off the official artwork of the character. We built a model of the proposed skyscraper, scaling it off of numerous pictures of the city.

See also: off, scale

scale out

In computer programming, to add additional servers to handle an increased size or workload of a system, network, or process. Rather than spending so much money scaling up a single server to handle the increase in traffic, why don't we scale out with a lot cheaper servers instead? We should start scaling out the memory cache over multiple machines in the office.

See also: out, scale

scale up

1. To climb up something. How long do you think it will take us to scale up the mountain?

2. To increase something in size or scope. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "scale" and "up." With this sudden increase in funding, we can finally scale up our research project! Can you scale this drawing up? I'd love to have a model to present to the board.

See also: scale, up

thumb on the scale

A method of deception or manipulation that creates an unfair advantage for the swindler. Likened to a merchant holding a thumb on the scale when weighing goods for sale, therefore increasing the apparent weight and price. You have to suspect that the casinos have their thumb on the scale when it comes to the slot machines. There's no way you're getting fair odds. These giant corporations are constantly putting their thumbs on the scale, using their vast resources to influence public policy in their favor.

See also: on, scale, thumb

tilt the scale(s)

To change the balance of a situation, such that one side or element is favored or gains advantage. The two candidates are so close in the polls that both are vying for something that will tilt the scale in their favor. The immense interconnectivity of social media has tilted the scales of power somewhat back into the hands of the ordinary population.

See also: tilt

tip the balance

To upset the balance of a situation, such that one side or element is favored or gains advantage. The two candidates are so close in the polls that both are vying for something that will tip the balance in their favor. The immense interconnectivity of social media has tipped the balance of power somewhat back into the hands of the ordinary population.

See also: balance, tip

tip the scale(s)

To upset the balance of a situation, such that one side or element is favored or gains advantage. The two candidates are so close in the polls that both are vying for something that will tip the scale in their favor. The immense interconnectivity of social media has tipped the scales of power somewhat back into the hands of the ordinary population.

See also: tip

turn the scale(s)

To change the balance of a situation, such that one side or element is favored or gains advantage. The two candidates are so close in the polls that both are vying for something that will turn the scale in their favor. The immense interconnectivity of social media has turned the scales of power somewhat back into the hands of the ordinary population.

See also: turn

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

scale something down

to reduce the size or cost of something. The bad economy forced us to scale the project down. Liz scaled down the project.

See also: down, scale

scale something to something

to design or adjust the size of one thing to match or complement the size of another thing. The architect sought to scale the office building to the buildings surrounding it. The playhouse will have to be scaled to the main house.

See also: scale, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

scale down

Reduce the size or cost of, as in The owners decided to scale down wages. This expression, along with the related scale up, which refers to an increase, alludes to scale in the sense of "a fixed standard." [Late 1800s]

See also: down, scale

tip the balance

Also, tip the scales; turn the scale. Offset the balance and thereby favor one side or precipitate an action. For example, He felt that affirmative action had tipped the balance slightly in favor of minority groups , or New high-tech weapons definitely tipped the scales in the Gulf War, or Just one more mistake will turn the scale against them. Shakespeare used turn the scale literally in Measure for Measure (4:2): "You weigh equally; a feather will turn the scale." The idioms with tip are much younger, dating from the first half of the 1900s.

See also: balance, tip

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

tip the balance

or

tip the scales

COMMON If something tips the balance or tips the scales in a situation where two results seem equally likely, it makes one result happen or become much more likely. As the election approaches, the two main parties appear so evenly matched that just one issue could tip the balance. Years later, she still believed it had been Howe's warnings, not any love for her, that had finally tipped the scales against his leaving her for Lucy.

See also: balance, tip

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

throw something on (or into) the scale

emphasize the relevance of something to one side of an argument or debate.

See also: on, scale, something, throw

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

scale back

v.

To reduce the scope or extent of something according to a standard or by degrees; reduce something in calculated amounts: The company scaled back the scheduled pay increase. After reviewing its budget, the school scaled its sports activities back.

See also: back, scale

scale down

v.

1. To climb down something; descend something: The climber carefully scaled down the cliff.

2. To reduce the scope or extent of something according to a standard or by degrees; reduce something in calculated amounts: The lawyer advised them to scale down their demands. We decided our travel plans were unrealistic, so we scaled them down.

See also: down, scale

scale up

v.

1. To climb up something; ascend something: The hikers scaled up the side of the mountain.

2. To increase the scope or extent of something according to a standard or by degrees; increase something in calculated amounts: The company scaled up its operations to meet the growing demand. The city scaled its efforts up to reduce crime.

See also: scale, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

scale

n. the regular union rate of pay; union wages. We pay scale and not a penny more. I don’t care who you think you are!

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.