call to account
1. To confront or question one about one's wrongdoings. A noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "account." That's it—the next time I see Rachel, I'm calling her to account! I simply can't tolerate her selfish behavior any longer. I'm sure the boss is going to call me to account for my outburst during the meeting. If you committed a crime, the police will call you to account soon enough.
2. To blame one for something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "account." I was the lead salesperson, so I knew that I would be called to account when my team lost that big client. I had nothing to do with the prank, but I'm sure they'll call me to account anyway. Why are you calling me to account for the break-in? I know I locked the door and set the alarm system when I left!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
call someone to account
to ask one to explain and justify one's behavior, policy, performance, etc. The sergeant called the police officer to account. I called my workers to account for the accident.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
call to account
1. Hold answerable, as in One day soon we'll be called to account for the child's behavior: [Mid-1500s]
2. Challenge or contest, as in The IRS is bound to call us to account on these deductions. [First half of 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
call somebody to acˈcount (for/over something)
(formal) make somebody explain a mistake, loss, etc: His manager called him to account over the missing reports.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
call to account
1. To challenge or contest.
2. To hold answerable for.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.