the balance of power

the balance of power

The various magnitudes of power and authority being exerted simultaneously between multiple opposing people, groups, or bodies. With the party's huge sweep in the last election, the balance of power has been dramatically shifted in Washington. If they're able to build a functioning nuclear arsenal, the world's existing balance of power could be in danger.
See also: balance, of, power
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the balance of power

the situation where the power held by one governing body or adversary is balanced by the power of another. The balance of power was threatened when China captured our airplane.
See also: balance, of, power
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • gray power
  • you can't dance at two weddings at once
  • you can't dance at two weddings at the same time
  • in one
  • (all) in one
  • you can't sit in two chairs at once
  • you can't sit in two chairs at the same time
  • a shouting match
  • shouting match
References in classic literature
Pierre had managed to start a conversation with the abbe about the balance of power, and the latter, evidently interested by the young man's simple-minded eagerness, was explaining his pet theory.
the balance of power in Europe and the rights of the people," the abbe was saying.
War and Peace
It had started its first newspaper in Japan, and elected its first deputy in Argentina; in France it named members of cabinets, and in Italy and Australia it held the balance of power and turned out ministries.
Jungle
John knew what was at the back of it, and to hear him engaged with her husband in argument about finance and the balance of power, gave her an odd sense of stability.
The Voyage Out
I think we were all more or less shaken by the frightfulness of the tragedy--until Olson remarked that the balance of power now rested where it belonged.
The Land That Time Forgot
'As I said in my tweet, I am not praying for World War III, but at least a strong presence of the US Pacific fleet in the WPS can make China feel the balance of power in that area,' Lacson stressed.
Lacson rues Duterte's 'heartbreaking' stand on boat ramming incident
The balance of power in Iran favors the regime mainly because the powerful Iranian mullahs have coup-proofed themselves from the military and created an equivalent paramilitary organization called IRGC - Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
US listing Iran's elite guard a terrorist organization is long overdue
The election of three newcomers to the Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 school board has reversed the balance of power on the panel.
Three newcomers shift balance of power in Glen Ellyn District 41-BYLN- By Robert Sanchez bsanchez@dailyherald.com
They address how power sharing affects the balance of power within a group, organization, government apparatus, or territorial unit, or the balance of power between and among groups, organizations, state and societal actors, and the central government and subnational units of government.
Power Sharing and Power Relations After Civil War
Once constructed, the warship 'will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced platforms of Pakistan Navy and strengthen the country's capability to respond to future challenges, maintain peace and stability and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region,' the report said.
China acknowledges its extending financial help to Pakistan
MIRPUR (AJK) -- AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that Pakistan is the country of an exceptional global significance in South Asia which maintains the balance of power in the region.
Pakistan maintains balance of power in region: PM AJK
Another way to look at the balance of power is to build the strength of the weak to an extent where the strong does not attempt to threaten the security of the rest.
Pakistan's Search for Security through Reliable Balance of Power and Nuclear Weapons
In a way, the EU is now at the center of Iran situation and if Beijing plays its role wisely, the balance of power can easily shift from the West to Asia.
Iran: New balance of power
Sulaymaniya/ National Iraqi News Agency / nina / - The Movement for Change confirmed that the upcoming Iraqi elections will lead to a change in the balance of power in the Kurdistan Region.
Change Movement considers the Iraqi elections are an opportunity to punish Talabani and Barzani parties by voters
The Iraqi forces backed by Iranian-trained paramilitary groups captured the Kurdish held oil region Kirkuk on Monday after the Kurdish referendum and transfer the balance of power in the country.
Iraqi forces drive Kurdish fighters out of Mosul