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.
Postpandemic ticket prices have fallen 5.3% in real terms to keep theaters filled, and producers are finding it tougher to balance the books.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
Chait has said he is prepared to take the steps necessary to balance the books — and the district has committed to slashing thousands of jobs, among other measures.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
The figures come as Scotland's councils face increasing pressure to balance the books, with some introducing inflation-busting tax hikes for the new financial year.
From BBC ● May 14, 2026
Residents have had to endure council tax rises of more than 17% over two years to help the authority balance the books.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026
In the Wildcat's brain was born a scheme which promised to balance the books between him and Honey Tone.
From Lady Luck by Hugh Wiley
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.
