balance the books

1. 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]

2. 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

One Scottish health board faces "unprecedented" financial challenges and another must redesign its health and social care system to balance the books, auditors have said.

Read more on BBC

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she will take "fair choices" in the Budget as economists continue to predict tax rises to try to balance the books.

Read more on BBC

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is struggling to balance the books ahead of a new annual budget to be released next month.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But it also warns the council is under "significant financial pressure", with the authority planning to make widespread cutbacks and ask the government for Exceptional Financial Support of £43m to help balance the books.

Read more on BBC

Successive governments have borrowed dollars or printed money rather than cutting spending to balance the books and narrow budget gaps.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal