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.
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
A source said that Healey still believed he could somehow balance the books, that big adjustments could be made - an assumption they described as "inept".
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 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
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
In the Wildcat's brain was born a scheme which promised to balance the books between him and Honey Tone.
From Lady Luck by Wiley, Hugh
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.
