balance against

balance (something) against (something else)

To compare two things, typically one that is positive and one that is negative, often in order to make a decision. You need to balance the long commute against how much you like the job.See also: balance

balance (something) against (something else)

to consider one thing in reference to another; to weigh one possibility against another possibility. We will have to balance all the good he did against all the bad. The good will be balanced against the bad in the final reckoning.See also: balance

balance against

v. To consider the value of something in relation to another thing: To be fair, we must balance the problems in this plan against its possible benefits.See also: balance