Meaning of off keel | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Out of balance, tilting to one side. (of a watercraft, etc.)
2. Out of control, not proceeding or running smoothly.
   figuratively

Examples

“1896, William Sharp, Boston: Lamson, Wolffe & Col, Chapter 4, p. 78, The tide was full and the dingey was off keel. The punt nosed the pebbly slope like⟳ a terrier, but her stern swung clear.”

“[…] at the finish⟳ the boat is moving faster, and the blade must be taken out more sharply if it is to avoid⟳ pulling the boat off keel.”

“At any rate, Gull had done a hurried repair⟳ job on the ship, for it was traveling with the labored toil of an old man walking uphill. It was off-keel. The body of the ship leaned at an angle to the line of flight.”

“The lower half of a duplex apartment on a shabby Montreal street, dark as limbo, jerry-built fifty years ago and going off keel ever since.”

“I’ve learned the lesson that the worst thing that can happen⟳ to a gambler is to let⟳ his recent losses or wins knock⟳ him off keel emotionally.”

“Attorney General John D. Ashcroft provided an update⟳ to the group on his efforts to develop⟳ a legislative package to expand⟳ the powers of law enforcement to fight⟳ terrorism. He outlined a two-phase strategy, aimed first at “immediate disruption and prevention of terrorism” and followed by longer-term efforts to put⟳ terrorists “off keel.””

CEFR level