account (tosb) forsth
—phrasal verbwithaccountverb[T+ obj + noun/adj]formaluk/əˈkaʊnt/us/əˈkaʊnt/
C2
toexplainthereasonfor something or thecauseof something
（对某人）就…作出解释；（对某人）就…作出说明
Can youaccountforyourabsencelastFriday?你能解释一下上周五你为什么缺勤吗？
She wasunabletoaccountfor over $5,000(= she could notexplainwhere themoneywas).她无法对5000多美元的去向作出解释。
He has toaccountto hismanagerfor(=tellhismanagerabout andexplain)all hismovements.他不得不向经理交代清楚他的一切行动。
- There is £50missingfrom the till - how doaccountfor that?
- You will have toaccountforyourabsenceto theheadteacherin themorning.
- Sarah wasbulliedatschool, which mightaccountfor herbehaviournow.
- It'sdifficulttoaccountfor therecentincreaseinviolentcrime.
- Theprimeministerwill have toaccountto thewholenationfor hisdecision.