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 Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved. Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017 Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017 1. To register weight [at a certain amount]. 2. To offset the balance of a situation. American
Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.tip the scale[s]
tip [or turn] the scales [or balance]
[of a circumstance or event] be the deciding factor; make the critical difference.tip the ˈbalance/ˈscales
[also
swing the ˈbalance] be the reason that finally causes somebody to do something or something to happen in one way rather than another: They were both very good candidates for the job but she had more experience and that tipped the balance.tip the scales
tip/turn the scales, to
To change the balance slightly so as to favor one side. The idea was expressed as long ago as Aristotle’s Politics [ca. 340 b.c.], in which he wrote “The addition of the middle class turns the scale and prevents either of the extremes from being dominant” [Benjamin Jowett translation, ca. 1875]. Jowett’s wording may have been influenced by William Wordsworth’s “Ode” [1815]: “Thy presence turns the scale of doubtful fight, / Tremendous God of battles, Lord of Hosts!”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
- [one's] secret weapon
- secret weapon
- weapon
- gut factor
- in [one's] element
- in element
- in one's element
- in your element
- rotten apple spoils the barrel
- a rotten apple spoils the [whole] bunch
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtip the balance/scalestip the balance/scalesADVANTAGEto give a slight advantage to someone or something Three factors helped to tip the balance in favour of the Labour leadership. → tipExamples from the Corpustip the balance/scales• They viewed the Soviet moves as an effort to tip the scales against the West.• I went to see Hoppy for a checkup and I tip the scales at exactly eighty-six pounds.• Mr Bates thinks the disappearance of November's protest vote could tip the scales his way.• Second, the Constitution tips the scales in favor of the individual over the state in highly personal matters.• Your support tipped the balance in our favor.• Perhaps remorse at having joined it had tipped the balance of Fred's mind.• Thus can a minuscule particle tip the scales one way or another.
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tip the scales
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tip the scales
English Idioms Dictionary
change or influence a decision, the upper hand If you speak two languages, it could tip the scales in your favor when you apply for a job.