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off-balance , off balance [not before noun]
1 in an unsteady position and likely to fall
throw/knock/push etc somebody off-balance 
The sudden movement of the ship knocked them both off balance.
The sudden movement of the ship knocked them both off balance.2 to surprise or shock someone because they are not prepared for something that happens : I was thrown off-balance by some of the more difficult questions I was asked.
catch/throw somebody off-balance
I was thrown off-balance by some of the more difficult questions I was asked.