Balance somebody off

[Auldlangsyne]

What does it mean “To balance somebody off”?

Like in, e.g., if you have a great idea, you need someone to balance you off.

Can it mean “To help with implementing this idea into practice in order to do it right, or maybe to have a second opinion”?

 

[Jill Dorchester]

Depends upon the full context. Most likely they mean a second opinion, or at least someone to point out the pros and cons of your great idea. Someone to keep you from going off half-cocked in case your idea has a downside that you haven't considered (in case your great idea is something like "Now that I have small children, I think it's a good idea to keep a loaded gun in the house for protection.") ;-)

 

[Raymott]

What does [STRIKE]it mean[/STRIKE] “To balance somebody off” mean?

I've never heard the phrase. I'm not sure I'd like to be balanced off. :shock: Then again, I wouldn't want to go off half-cocked either.

 

[Auldlangsyne]

Pointing out the pros and cons of that idea, supported by the example, sounds about right to me, and makes the meaning more clear – fits the contexts well. (Overheard in an AmE conversation.) That would mean to try to prevent someone being overexcited with a new proposal/plan from being implemented too hasty.

Never heard of it either.

 

[Jill Dorchester]

Then again, I wouldn't want to go off half-cocked either.

Typical male. ;-) :lol:

 

[emsr2d2]

I've never heard it either. I would assume that it meant you need someone to temper your no doubt overwhelming enthusiasm for your great new idea - someone to look at the practicalities of it, someone a bit more rational! I find the use of "off" at the end a little odd. I would be perfectly happy with "... you need someone to balance you".

 

[Auldlangsyne]

I heard it again, and it was very clear this time that the intention of the person saying it (wanting to that other person to balance off) was – to support him when he felt down. The aim was to lend a helping hand the need be, cheer him up during tough times.

I don’t know it this explanation make any sense to native speakers of the English language, AmE to be exact, but that was exactly what it meant, and I am so sure about that because it was elaborated this time.

 

[emsr2d2]

That meaning doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[SoothingDave]

It sounds like if you have a great idea, you need someone around with bad ideas, so that, on average, you have average ideas.

 

[emsr2d2]

That sounds like where I work!

 

[Tarheel]

I heard it again, and it was very clear this time that the intention of the person saying it (wanting [STRIKE]to[/STRIKE] that other person to balance him off) was – to support him when he felt down. The aim was to lend a helping hand if need be, to cheer him up during tough times.

I don’t know if this explanation makes any sense to native speakers of the English language, AmE to be exact, but that was exactly what it meant, and I am so sure about that because it was explained this time.

 

[Auldlangsyne]

Originally Posted by Auldlangsyne I heard it again, and it was very clear this time that the intention of the person saying it (wanting to that other person to balance him off) was – to support him when he felt down. The aim was to lend a helping hand if need be, to cheer him up during tough times.

I don’t know if this explanation makes any sense to native speakers of the English language, AmE to be exact, but that was exactly what it meant, and I am so sure about that because it was explained this time.

I am still pondering on the above issue.

Could it be that someone was actually saying “of” and not “off”? Would that make any difference? I do not know. Could it be that someone made this phrase up? We sometimes create new funny/silly expressions during a casual conversation to give a more vivid account of an event. I may well waste my time if that was pure nonsense. Whatever the intention was, I think it had something to do with a meaningful support.


The only one error I spotted myself (and have not edited) was “it” instead of “if”.

I was pretty sure that “the need be” was perfectly fine. But since one, for obvious reasons ;-), should never question your corrections, I will be using “if need be” from now on.

Thanks for balancing me off.
:-D