balance the books
Idioms-
Add up the debits and credits of an account and determine the difference; also, bring the two sides into equilibrium. For example, It's Joe's job to balance the books each quarter . [Late 1500s]
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Settle an account by paying what is due, as in We can't balance the books till your last check clears . [Early 1700s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The report said the number of places offered to Scottish students was "limited by universities' need to balance the books" by accepting fee-paying UK and international students.
From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026
It’s important to balance the books at home, but also ensure that our physical and mental health remain strong so we can cross the finish line every day.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 23, 2025
Keep doing what you are doing: Pay your mortgage and balance the books.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 18, 2025
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is struggling to balance the books ahead of a new annual budget to be released next month.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025
Jesus took large stock in tomorrow; he laughed at the prudence that never dares, the mock righteousness of the ledger that presumes to balance the books and pay all accounts up to date.
From The Truth about Jesus : Is He a Myth? by Mangasarian, M. M. (Mangasar Mugurditch)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
