out of kilter

Idioms and Phrases

Also, out of whack . Not properly adjusted, not working well, out of order. For example, This whole schedule is out of kilter with the rest of our projects , or The wheels on the trailer are out of whack . The first term, also spelled kelter , dates from the early 1600s and its origin is not known. The precise allusion of the variant, a colloquial term dating from the late 1800s, is also unclear. Possibly it relates to a whack , or blow, throwing something off, or some suggest, to wacky , that is, “crazy.”

Example Sentences

But Francis Green, professor of work and education economics at University College London, said the “hullabaloo” about the policy is out of kilter given the amount it is projected to raise - 2.6% of the £57bn England schools budget.

From BBC

Mr Rodríguez says that during daylight hours, when solar energy output is particularly strong, the supply-demand balance can be pushed out of kilter, having an impact on prices.

From BBC

“We build a statistical profile around what good normal looks like. We can see, based on the data the bank has, if something is normal behaviour, or anomalistic and out of kilter.”

From BBC

"These are things that we didn't recommend for the other parts of the UK because they are so far out of kilter with the steps we feel the country needs to take over all."

From BBC

"As I was watching, something felt out of kilter," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• busted
• defective
• faulty
• ruined
• wrecked