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carry forward

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carry something forward

to take a figure from one column or category to another. Now, carry this figure forward into the tens column.

See also: carry, forward

carry forward

1. Also, carry over. Transfer a bookkeeping entry to the next column, page, another account, or the next accounting period, as in Let's carry forward this loss to the next quarter for a saving in taxes, or She made an error in carrying over this column. The first term dates from the first half of the 1800s; the variant dates from the mid-1700s.

2. Make progress in, advance, as in His successor hoped to carry forward his work. Also see carry on.

See also: carry, forward

carry forward

v.

1. In accounting, to transfer some entry to the next column, page, or book, or to another account: The company decided to carry their losses forward to offset future profits.

2. To succeed or make progress with something: I thought of the plan, and my assistant carried it forward.

See also: carry, forward