a delicate balance — fragile equilibrium (between competing factors or needs)
A situation where different needs, interests, or factors must be managed very carefully because a small change could easily upset the situation.
Say it like a native
Textbook There is a fragile state of equilibrium between work and family life.
Native It's a delicate balance between work and family.
'A delicate balance' is the natural collocation; 'a fragile state of equilibrium' is over-engineered.
Pattern: a delicate balance (between A and B / of X and Y)
In use
- There's a delicate balance between encouraging independence in children and giving them enough support.daily life
- In my opinion, maintaining a delicate balance between economic growth and environmental protection is one of the biggest challenges facing modern societies.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ We have to keep a delicate balance of the two.
✓ We have to strike a delicate balance between the two.
You 'strike/maintain a delicate balance BETWEEN' things.
Common collocations
strike a delicate balance between— strike, maintain, between, upset
Don't confuse it
Unlike the general use of 'balance' for any situation with two sides, 'a delicate balance' emphasizes how easily the situation could go wrong if not handled with care.