balance the books

English - English

Definition of balance the books in English English dictionary

To put or keep any closed or conservative system or its analysis in balance

To add up all the debits and credits

Hyphenation

Bal·ance the books

Turkish pronunciation

bälıns dhi bûks

Pronunciation

/ˈbaləns ᴛʜē ˈbo͝oks/ /ˈbæləns ðiː ˈbʊks/

Etymology

[ 'ba-l&n(t)s ] (noun.) 13th century. Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin bilancia, from Late Latin bilanc-, bilanx having two scalepans, from Latin bi- + lanc-, lanx plate.