throw off balance

throw someone off balance 

1. Lit. to cause someone to falter (and probably fall). The cyclist bumped into me and threw me off balance. I was thrown off balance by the gust of wind.

2. Fig. to confuse or disorient one. Your last question sort of threw me off balance. The teacher was thrown off balance by the students' difficult questions.

See also: balance, throw

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throw somebody off balance

to confuse or upset someone for a short time by saying or doing something that they are not expecting (usually passive) I wasn't expecting any interaction with the audience and was thrown off balance by his question.

See also: balance, throw