Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

tip the scales

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.88 in modern English

Syllables: tip the s-cales
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To turn to one side of a balanced situation.

Example Sentences

""But an uprising in the central provinces would tip the scales for us!" exclaimed Conan."
"That lends further credence to the argument that continuing to use diesel in low and limited circumstances makes sense. Unless, of course, we use so little across the country that it becomes rare and expensive. That might tip the scales against it, but I can't see that happening any time soon."

Inflected Forms

tips the scales (present, singular) tipping the scales (participle, present) tipped the scales (participle, past) tipped the scales (past) tip the scale (alternative)

Phrases

tip the scales at thumb on the scale

Frequently Paired Words

thumb on the scale

Synonyms

turn the scale

Questions

What does tip the scales mean?: To turn to one side of a balanced situation.

How to pronounce tip the scales

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “tip the scales”.
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