balance
noun uk/ˈbæl.əns/ us/ˈbæl.əns/
(EQUAL STATE)
B2 [ S or U ]平衡
a state where things are of equal weight or force
The toddler wobbled and lost his balance (= started to fall sideways). 那个刚学步的小孩摇摇晃晃，几下就失去了平衡。
She had to hold onto the railings to keep her balance (= to stop herself from falling). 她得扶住围栏才能保持平衡。
New tax measures are designed to redress the balance (= make the situation more equal) between rich and poor. 新的税收措施旨在使贫富差距趋于合理。
We must strike a balance between reckless spending and penny-pinching (= try to have something between these two things). 我们必须合理开支，既不肆意挥霍，也不要一毛不拔。
Synonym: equilibrium
[ U ]（乐音的）平衡，安排与调整;（乐器）平衡器
The balance on a piece of electronic equipment for playing music is the particular mixture of different sounds, or the device that controls this.
on balanceB2 总的说来
after thinking about all the different facts or opinions
I would say that, on balance, it hasn't been a bad year. 总的说来，我觉得今年还不错。
On balance, I believe he was a good president.
I think that on balance this is a safe city to live in.
On balance, we support wind power as a source of clean energy.
They have created a show that is, on balance, pretty entertaining.
- More examples
- He lost his balance and tumbled over.
- The question threw him off balance for a moment.
- Teachers need to strike a delicate balance between instructing their pupils and letting them discover things for themselves.
- Most managers, politicians and bosses are men - how can women redress the balance ?
- The shift in the balance of power in the region has had far-reaching consequences.
(WEIGHING MACHINE)
[ C ] (US also balance scale)天平，秤
a device used for weighing things, consisting of two dishes hanging on a bar that shows when the contents of both dishes weigh the same
(MONEY)
B2 [ C usually singular ]结存，结余
the amount of money you have in a bank account, or the amount of something that you have left after you have spent or used up the rest
Once we know how much money we'll need, let's spend the balance (= the amount left). 一旦知道了我们将需要多少钱，就把结余的钱花掉吧。
The company's success is reflected in its healthy bank balance. 该公司良好的银行结存情况反映出其经营的成功。
[ U ] Indian English（退回的）差額差额
the money that is returned to someone who has paid for something that costs less than the amount that they gave
See also: change noun (MONEY)
Idioms
in balanceidiom 收支平衡
spending no more money in a budget (= financial plan) than is taken in during a particular period
We want to cut the budget to get it in balance by next year. 我们想要削减预算以求在明年达到收支平衡。
in the balanceidiom C2 悬而未决;结果未定
If a situation is in the balance, it has reached a stage where it will soon be decided one way or another.
The game hung in the balance until the last minute. 比赛僵持不下，直到最后一分钟才分出胜负。
balance
verb uk/ˈbæl.əns/ us/ˈbæl.əns/
B2 [ I or T ]（使）平衡
to be in a position where you will stand without falling to either side, or to put something in this position
The flamingos balanced gracefully on one leg. 火烈鸟单腿独立，优雅地保持着平衡。
She balanced a huge pot effortlessly on her head and walked down to the river. 她稳稳地顶着一个大陶罐，轻松地向河边走去。
B2 [ T ]权衡，斟酌
to give several things equal amounts of importance, time, or money so that a situation is successful
I struggle to balance work and family commitments. 我努力在工作和家庭责任之间寻求平衡。
[ T ]结平（账目）;使收支平衡
to arrange a system that relates to money so that the amount of money spent is not more than the amount received
Stringent measures were introduced so that the government could balance its budget/the economy. 政府采取了紧缩银根的政策，以期能平衡预算／使经济保持平衡。
balance the books 达到收支平衡
to make certain that the amount of money spent is not more than the amount of money received
If the business loses any more money, we won't be able to balance the books this year. 如果企业继续亏损，我们今年将难以达到收支平衡。
We had to take money from the savings account in order to balance the books.
The state is looking for new ways to balance the books.
We need to make sure our stadiums are full of fans because, at the end of the day, we have to balance the books.
The company reduced its advertising budget by 25% in order to balance the books.
- More examples
- Her suitcase was precariously balanced on the tiny luggage rack above her head.
- A see-saw balances at its fulcrum.
- The wine has just enough dryness to balance its fruitiness.
- Discover how eating raw food helps balance your body and aids digestion.
- At the moment the election seems balanced on a knife-edge.
Phrasal verbs
balance something against something 权衡，比较
to compare the advantages and disadvantages of something
The ecological effects of the factory need to be balanced against the employment it generates. 需要在工厂对生态造成的影响与其带来的就业机会之间权衡比较。
balance (something) out/up 抵消，使…平衡
to be equal in amount or value, or to make things equal in amount or value
I spend a lot one month and not so much the next and in the end it balances out. 我某个月花费很多，但接下来的一个月就没那么多，所以最后也就收支平衡了。
We'd better ask a few men to the party to balance up the numbers. 我们最好叫几个男的去参加晚会，平衡一下男女比例。