What does tipping the scales mean

Read More. November 08, To top. Sign up for free and get access to exclusive content:. Free word lists and quizzes from Cambridge. Tools to create your own word lists and quizzes. Word lists shared by our community of dictionary fans. Sign up now or Log in. Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English.

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It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Thread starter Deklina Start date Oct 20, Deklina New Member Slovenian. I wonder if anyone could help me with translating the term in the title. I don't need a translation I'll come up with that later , I would just like somebody to explain to me if the phrase "to tip the scales" has a specific idiomatic meaning that I'm not familiar with.

Thanks in advance for all your help! It used with a pending usually very close decision and something effected the decision one way meaning that thing tipped the scale in favor of that side of the decision. Smarsh Member British English. Click to expand In this page you can discover 18 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for promptly, like: punctually, hastily, immediately, quickly, on-time, negligently, late, quick, expeditiously, swiftly and duly.

Immediately, instantly, directly, presently were once close synonyms, all denoting complete absence of delay or any lapse of time. With a present tense verb it usually means now, at the present time: The author presently lives in San Francisco.

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