The phrase 'out of kilter' is being used for something that gone awry and the popular phrase that conveys the same meaning is 'out of whack'.
Probably the phrase has been evolved from the word 'kilt' that describes a kind of skirt that is worn by the Scottish men and it reaches out to the knee of the men. It is said that the person who is wearing the kilt should not wear anything inside. And if the kilt is out of his body, you yourself can imagine that in what kind of embarrassing situation the person is facing; the situation will certainly go awry.
So the word is justifying the meaning and the possible origin is also finding its explanation.
Probably the phrase has been evolved from the word 'kilt' that describes a kind of skirt that is worn by the Scottish men and it reaches out to the knee of the men. It is said that the person who is wearing the kilt should not wear anything inside. And if the kilt is out of his body, you yourself can imagine that in what kind of embarrassing situation the person is facing; the situation will certainly go awry.
So the word is justifying the meaning and the possible origin is also finding its explanation.