Definition

Adjective: - Out of balance or out of adjustment: Not functioning correctly or properly; not in the proper or expected condition or state.

Usage

This adjective phrase is informal and is typically used as a predicate adjective, following a linking verb like "is," "was," or "seems." It describes a state of malfunction, disorder, or incorrect alignment.

Examples

• The old clock is out of whack and chimes at random times.
• After the storm, the satellite dish was out of whack, so we had no signal.
• My sleep schedule has been completely out of whack since I started working night shifts.
• If the chemical levels in the pool are out of whack, the water can become cloudy.

Advanced Usage

• "to throw something out of whack": To cause something to become disordered, unbalanced, or dysfunctional.
  • The sudden power surge threw the entire computer network out of whack.

Variants and Related Words

• Whacky (adj): An informal variant spelling of "wacky," meaning eccentric or irrational. While related in sound and informal register, "whacky" and "out of whack" have distinct meanings.

Synonyms

• Malfunctioning: Failing to function normally.
• Out of order: Not working; broken.
• Out of kilter: Out of harmony or balance.
• Disrupted: Having the normal course or progress interrupted.

Related Phrases

• Out of sync: Not operating in unison or harmony; unsynchronized.
  • The audio and video were out of sync during the stream.
• Out of alignment: Not in correct relative position.
  • The car pulls to the right because the wheels are out of alignment.

Related Idioms

• Off-kilter: Not quite right; askew or unbalanced.
  • Something about his story felt a bit off-kilter.

Adjective

1. out of balance or out of adjustment
   • the front wheel of my bicycle is out of whack