单词 | turn the scale |
释义 | > as lemmasto turn the scale a. singular = plural (sense 3). Often figurative, esp. in to turn the scale: said of an excess of weight on one side or the other. ΘΚΠ society > authority > power > influence > have influence [verb (intransitive)] > have decisive influence to turn the scale1777 to tip the beam1927 to tip the balance1956 c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 449/2 Scole, to wey wythe,..libra, balanx. 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 327 If the scale doe turne but in the estimation of a hayre. View more context for this quotation a1627 J. Fletcher & T. Middleton Nice Valour i. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ttt3/1 As even as the thirteenth of September, When day and night lye in a scale together. 1627 J. Speed Eng. Abridged xxiv. §3 The Victor in Rome..with so equal an hand bare the Scoale of Resistance, that their owne Writers evermore terme it a dangerous Warre. 1673 H. Hickman Hist. Quinq-articularis 436 He is..afraid to come either to the pole, or to the scale; either to weigh, or to number authorities with us. 1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 127 We had..three Pound and a Half..according to..Weight and Scale. 1777 P. Thicknesse Year's Journey France & Spain I. iii. 18 As he is a good seaman, and has a clean, convenient, nay an elegant vessel, I would rather turn the scale in his favour. 1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles iii. x. 94 And if my words in weight shall fail, This ponderous sword shall turn the scale. 1860 F. Nightingale Notes on Nursing (rev. ed.) iv. 77 When the scale was trembling between life and death. 1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. I. v. 62 The odd man whose casting vote would turn the scale as between the seven Republican members of the Commission and the seven Democrats. 1902 Daily Chron. 7 Oct. 5/3 A cargo of Welsh coal..was put on the scale to-day at fifteen dollars per ton. to turn the scale m. to turn the scale. extracted from turnv. (a) To cause one scale of a balance to descend; said of an additional weight, usually a slight or just sufficient one. Now frequently with at: to weigh (slightly more than) a specified amount. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement by weighing > ascertain weight [verb (intransitive)] > weigh (a specific amount) weighc1000 peisea1382 weighc1386 poise1389 ponder?a1425 to turn the scale1600 ponderize1634 heft1851 avoirdupois1854 scale1862 to tip the scales1884 to weigh in1909 the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement by weighing > ascertain weight [verb (intransitive)] > turn the scales weigh?1566 to turn the scale1600 preponderate1623 prepond1836 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 255 The weight of a haire wil turne the scales between their haber de poiz. a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. ii. 28 You waigh equallie: a feather will turne the Scale . View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 520 A single Soul's too light to turn the Scale. 1844 Bell's Life in London 16 Aug. 4/4 Amos had the advantage in height and weight, being 10st 6lb, while Haggerty only turned the scale at 10st. 1889 J. K. Jerome Three Men in Boat 283 He had weighed it carefully..and it turned the scale at thirty-four pounds. 1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 883 A case containing a ¼-plate camera..turning the scale at 6 lbs. 2015 Western Advocate (Bathurst, New S. Wales) (Nexis) 18 Aug. 8 Later some of the larger hail stones were weighed and they turned the scale at five and six ounces. (b) figurative. To be a crucial factor in determining the success or superiority of one of two opposing parties or sides. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > predominance or preponderance > [verb (intransitive)] to turn the balance (also beam)1600 to turn the scale1815 1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles iii. x. 94 And if my words in weight shall fail, This ponderous sword shall turn the scale. 1874 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. I. x. 311 The scale was turned in favour of strong measures by the voice of the native troops. 2015 Dominion Post (Wellington, N.Z.) (Nexis) 24 June (Sport section) 16 That could have turned the scales in the All Blacks' favour. < as lemmas |
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