call to account

call to account {v. phr.}

1. To ask (someone) to explain why he did something wrong (as breaking a rule).

The principal called Jim to account after Jim left school early without permission.

2. To scold (as for wrong conduct); reprimand.

The father called his son to account for disobeying him.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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account

[account] See: [CALL TO ACCOUNT], [CHARGE ACCOUNT], [LEAVE OUT OF ACCOUNT], [ON ACCOUNT], [ON ACCOUNT OF], [ON ONE'S ACCOUNT], [ON ONE'S OWN ACCOUNT], [SAVINGS ACCOUNT], [TAKE INTO ACCOUNT]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

on one's account

[on one's account] {adv. phr.} For your good; because you want to help or please someone. * /Barry studied hard on his mother's account./ * /I hope you didn't bring […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

take into account

[take into account] {v. phr.} To remember and understand while judging someone or something; consider. * /How much time will we need to get to the lake? You have to […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

leave out of account

[leave out of account] {v. phr.} To fail to consider; forget about. * /The picnic planners left out of account that it might rain./ Contrast: [TAKE INTO ACCOUNT]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

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