get out of kilter

get out of kilter

1. To become out of equilibrium; to become not straight, level, or aligned properly; to be in a state of chaos or confusion. Between my divorce, the death of my best friend, and the financial troubles at work, it seems like everything in my life has gotten out of kilter recently. John got a little out of kilter after being knocked in the head in football practice earlier.
2. To stop working correctly or properly; to be or become out of order; to be out of w(h)ack. It sounds like your car's engine has gotten a bit out of kilter. I'd recommend taking it to a mechanic before you go for any long drives.
See also: get, kilter, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • get off-kilter
  • go off-kilter
  • go out of kilter
  • addict
  • addict (one) to (something)
  • addict to
  • can of worms
  • can of worms, it's a/like opening a
  • a can of worms
  • get (one's) back up
References in periodicals archive
It was prone to get out of kilter if jiggled, so the students, realizing what a boon it was to their learning experience, plastered "Danger: High Voltage" signs on the beloved apparatus, to prevent it from being touched.
It's new, it's improved, it's time. (Presentation Systems)