Collocations for balance - noun
1. even combination/distribution
ADJ.
correct, equal, even, exact, ideal, necessary, optimum, perfect, proper, right
With children, it is important to achieve the right balance between love and discipline.
With children, it is important to achieve the right balance between love and discipline.
comfortable, equitable, excellent, good, happy, harmonious, healthy
a healthy balance of foods
a healthy balance of foods
acceptable, adequate, appropriate, fair, reasonable, sensible
How do you find an acceptable balance between closeness and distance in a relationship?
How do you find an acceptable balance between closeness and distance in a relationship?
careful, delicate, fine, subtle
Being a good boss requires a fine balance between kindness and authority.
Being a good boss requires a fine balance between kindness and authority.
fragile, precarious, uneasy | overall
It is the overall balance of the diet that is important.
It is the overall balance of the diet that is important.
ecological, natural
Pulling up all the plants will disturb the natural balance of the pond.
Pulling up all the plants will disturb the natural balance of the pond.
hormonal, nutritional | ethnic, gender, social
There is an even gender balance amongst staff and students (= equal numbers of men and women).
There is an even gender balance amongst staff and students (= equal numbers of men and women).
VERB + BALANCE
require | seek | achieve, create, find, strike
We need to strike a balance between these conflicting interests.
We need to strike a balance between these conflicting interests.
keep, maintain, sustain
You have to maintain a balance in your life or else you''ll go crazy.
You have to maintain a balance in your life or else you''ll go crazy.
disturb, upset
Tourists often disturb the delicate balance of nature on the island.
Tourists often disturb the delicate balance of nature on the island.
redress, restore | affect | alter, change, shift
BALANCE + VERB
change, shift
PREP.
on ~
(= after considering all the information) On balance, the company has had a successful year.
(= after considering all the information) On balance, the company has had a successful year.
in ~
It is important to keep the different aspects of your life in balance.
It is important to keep the different aspects of your life in balance.
~ between
the balance between academic and practical work
the balance between academic and practical work
~ of
the balance of animals and plants in the environment
the balance of animals and plants in the environment
PHRASES
the balance of nature
2. division of power/influence
ADJ.
changing, shifting | military, political
VERB + BALANCE
hold
to hold the balance of power (= to be in a position where your support would be just enough to give overall power to one group or another)
to hold the balance of power (= to be in a position where your support would be just enough to give overall power to one group or another)
affect | change, shift | swing, tilt, tip
(= to influence a result/decision) In an interview, smart presentation can tip the balance in your favour.
(= to influence a result/decision) In an interview, smart presentation can tip the balance in your favour.
BALANCE + VERB
change, shift
PHRASES
the balance of advantage
The balance of advantage has shifted from the unions to employers.
The balance of advantage has shifted from the unions to employers.
the balance of forces/power
the changing balance of power between the working and middle class
the changing balance of power between the working and middle class
checks and balances
Democracy depends on a system of checks and balances.
Democracy depends on a system of checks and balances.
3. of the body
ADJ.
excellent, good | poor
VERB + BALANCE
have
Gymnasts have excellent balance.
Gymnasts have excellent balance.
affect
Tightness in one set of muscles will affect your whole balance.
Tightness in one set of muscles will affect your whole balance.
keep
I struggled to keep my balance on my new skates.
I struggled to keep my balance on my new skates.
lose
She lost her balance and fell.
She lost her balance and fell.
recover, regain | knock sb off, throw sb off
The sudden movement threw him off balance.
The sudden movement threw him off balance.
PREP.
off ~
PHRASES
a sense of balance
Cats have a very good sense of balance.
Cats have a very good sense of balance.
4. money
ADJ.
account, bank | cash, money | credit, favourable, healthy, positive | debit, negative | cleared, net
Interest is calculated on the daily cleared balance and paid direct to your account.
Interest is calculated on the daily cleared balance and paid direct to your account.
opening | final, outstanding | trade
VERB + BALANCE
have
Everyone likes to have a healthy bank balance.
Everyone likes to have a healthy bank balance.
ask for, request
He asked the cashier for the balance of his current account.
He asked the cashier for the balance of his current account.
check
I''ll need to check my bank balance before I spend so much money.
I''ll need to check my bank balance before I spend so much money.
show | achieve | be due
The final balance is due six weeks before departure.
The final balance is due six weeks before departure.
pay
I''ll pay the balance later.
I''ll pay the balance later.
use
The balance of the proceeds will be used for new equipment.
The balance of the proceeds will be used for new equipment.
bring forward, carry forward
the balance brought forward from the previous year
the balance brought forward from the previous year
BALANCE + NOUN
sheet
the company''s balance sheet
the company''s balance sheet
PHRASES
the balance of payments
(= the difference between the amount of money coming into and going out of a country),
(= the difference between the amount of money coming into and going out of a country),
the balance of trade
(= the difference in value between imports and exports)
(= the difference in value between imports and exports)