account (to someone) for something
phrasal verb with account verb [ T + obj + noun/adj ] formal uk/əˈkaʊnt/ us/əˈkaʊnt/
C2 （对某人）就…作出解释;（对某人）就…作出说明
to explain the reason for something or the cause of something
Can you account for your absence last Friday? 你能解释一下上周五你为什么缺勤吗？
She was unable to account for over $5,000 (= she could not explain where the money was). 她无法对5000多美元的去向作出解释。
He has to account to his manager for (= tell his manager about and explain) all his movements. 他不得不向经理交代清楚他的一切行动。
- More examples
- There is £50 missing from the till - how do account for that?
- You will have to account for your absence to the head teacher in the morning.
- Sarah was bullied at school, which might account for her behaviour now.
- It's difficult to account for the recent increase in violent crime.
- The prime minister will have to account to the whole nation for his decision.