off keel

The phrase "off keel" originates from nautical terminology, where it describes a ship that is not properly balanced or aligned.

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Definition

B2General

(informal, nautical)Out of balance or alignment, often tilting to one side.

Example

The sudden shift in cargo made the boat go off keel.
After the storm, the ship was off keel and needed repairs.

B2Figurative

(informal)In a state of confusion or disorder, not functioning properly.

Example

The project went off keel after the team lost its leader.
Her sudden departure threw the entire plan off keel.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "off keel":

on keel off balance out of whack off the boil out of sorts way off off the rails off one's game even keel off one's feed go off the boil off target off the mark out of step off the track out of line off base look off out of tune out of joint on the wrong foot loose off off guard keel over off one's box throw off off the deep end bear off out of sync go overboard