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

Examples of balancing act in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The astonishing work-life balancing act — due to Bolan’s efficiency and organization skills — led the 29-year-old to possess both a vision and conviction rare among graduate students, said Brian C. Lemaux, a senior scientist at the Gemini North Observatory atop Mauna Kea. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024

Striking a tone both confident and pragmatic, Dr. Lai reaffirmed his determination to strengthen Taiwan’s vibrant democracy while maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait – a delicate balancing act handled deftly by his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen. —Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above