1.
Be the determining factor in; cause. For example, The heat wave accounts for all this food spoilage, or Icy roads account for the increase in accidents.
2.
Explain or justify, as in Jane was upset because her son couldn't account for the three hours between his last class and his arrival at home. Both of these related usages are derived from the literal meaning of the phrase, that is, "make a reckoning of an account." [Second half of 1700s]
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account for
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms:
account for |
Related Videos:
account for |
Antonyms by Answers.com:
account for |
v
Definition: offer reason, explanation
Antonyms: underestimate
Related topics:
 | Escrow Account (business term) |
| Unmargined Account (finance term) |
| Impound Account |
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Copyrights:
 |
 | American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Antonyms by Answers.com. © 1999-present by Answers Corporation. All rights reserved. Read more |
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Mentioned in
- Escrow Account (business term)
- Unmargined Account (finance term)
- Impound Account
- expense account
- Special Cash Account (finance term)
- a/o (abbreviation)
- acct. (abbreviation)
- c/a (abbreviation)
- Real Account (in accounting)
- Account Name (in accounting)
- description
- relate
- account (Idiom)
- a/c (abbreviation)
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