"To balance the budget" means to ensure that the amount of money spent is equal to or less than the amount of money earned or available. It is like making sure your expenses do not exceed your income. Full definition
However, it is clear that our expenditure needs to be contained, and then reduced, if we are to succeed in balancing the budget in the years after 2010. (sciencemag.org)
To be «realistic», you need to acknowledge that you will not balance the budget by 2019 - 20. (3dpolicy.ca)
They aren't joking and are very seriously considering ways for schools towns villages cities counties to get around the tax cap so they can raise taxes instead of balancing their budgets. (nystateofpolitics.com)