balance the books
To add up all the debits and credits.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I need to balance the books before the end of the month.”
“The accountant spent all afternoon trying to balance the books after the busy holiday season.”
“As the treasurer of the small charity, she meticulously balanced the books to ensure every donation was accounted for before the annual audit.”
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bad books
Disfavor.
- 02
balance out
To attain balance through the contrasting or reciprocating effect of different elements.
- 03
blot one's copy book
To damage one's own reputation through bad behavior.
- 04
book burning
Any mass destruction, removal, or recalling of books, motion pictures, broadcasts, or electronic works as a form of censorship, especially motivated by religious or political objections to the material.
- 05
book dumping
The practice of donating old used books that burden rather than assist communities.
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book in
To check in (to a hotel).
- 07
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 08
check and balance
Provide mutual oversight and limitation by independent organizations in order to prevent abuses of power.
Last updated August 10, 2026