throw off balance

throw (one) off balance

1. To make one unsteady, such that one may fall. That dog threw me off balance when he knocked into my legs.

2. To confuse or upset one, typically by doing something unexpected. Jenny threw me off balance when she said she wanted to have a baby.

See also: balance, off, throw

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

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, off, throw

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