The phrase "disturbed the balance" can be expressed in many ways depending on the context. One possible synonym is "upset the equilibrium," which suggests that things were once stable but are now in a state of flux. Another possibility is "disrupted the harmony," which implies that there was a sense of agreement or cooperation that has been broken. "Offset the symmetry" is a more technical term that suggests a disruption in the proportional relationships between different elements. Finally, "unsettled the status quo" is a more political or social term that describes a challenge to the existing power structures or norms that have been in place.