account for

British  

verb

1. to give reasons for (an event, act, etc)

2. to make or provide a reckoning of (expenditure, payments, etc)

3. to be responsible for destroying, killing, or putting (people, aircraft, etc) out of action

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account for Idioms  

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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Example Sentences

The Middle East is home to roughly half of the more than two million Filipinos working overseas, and their remittances account for 10% of the economy.

From BBC

The newly disclosed issue relates to Beyond Meat’s accounting for inventory provision.

From The Wall Street Journal

The financial planning expert isn’t putting any cash in 529 college-savings accounts for his four kids because he wants more flexibility for his investments.

From The Wall Street Journal

Whatever happens next, humanity will also reprice its energy options to account for Gulf insecurity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Newspaper reporters rarely have to account for their actions in public, yet this trial saw Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday veterans subjected to detailed cross-examination.

From BBC