balancing act
noun
plural balancing acts
: an attempt to handle or deal with two or more things (such as obligations) at one time so as to satisfy often competing requirements
"It's a difficult balancing act between celebrating the past and making room for the future."—Jeffrey Brown
Vegas might be the starkest example of what the hospitality industry faces across the country: a delicate balancing act between bringing back jobs and revenue and keeping workers and customers safe from a virus that's killed more than 100,000 Americans.—Dave Jamieson
It's a balancing act between appreciation, education and safety. Earlier this year, London city council voted to tighten up a parks bylaw that restricts the amount of food residents can feed to wild animals.—Megan Stacey
Cite this Entry
“Balancing act.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balancing%20act. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.
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