Account for

Meaning

The idiom "account for" means to explain or give a reason for something that has happened. It can also mean to be responsible for something, especially financially or legally.

Usage

• The boss asked me to account for my mistakes at the meeting.
• I forgot my wallet and had to account for it in the end.
• The police officer asked me to account for my whereabouts during the robbery.
• I accounted for the missing money by showing the receipts.
• The new hire was held responsible for the accident and had to account for his actions. The usage of "account for" can vary depending on the context. It can be used in a formal or informal setting, depending on the situation. In some cases, it may be necessary to provide a detailed explanation, while in others, a brief summary may suffice.

Roots and History

The idiom "account for" has its roots in accounting, which is the process of recording, summarizing, analyzing, interpreting, reporting, and maintaining financial records. In this context, "account for" means to explain or give a reason for financial transactions or actions. Over time, the idiom has evolved to include non-financial situations as well.

Synonyms in English

• Explain
• Justify
• Reconcile
• Responsible for
• Own up to

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Explicar
• French: Expliquer
• German: Erklären
• Italian: Spiegare
• Chinese: 解释(jiěshì)

Similar Idioms

• aftermath

• a shot in the dark

• ace up one’s sleeve