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balance the books
balance the books
1. Literally, to ensure that the figures regarding credit and debit are correct and to determine the remaining balance, as in a business or in personal finance. I had to stay at work for an extra two hours last night balancing the books.
2. By extension, to try and make up the deficit in a given budget by increasing revenue or income. The President laid out a new economic plan to try to balance the books by increasing taxes on the wealthy.
balance the books
1. 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]
2. Settle an account by paying what is due, as in We can't balance the books till your last check clears. [Early 1700s]