call to account

Related to call to account: set out, in favor of, bring to account

call to account

1. To confront or question one about one's wrongdoings. A noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "account." That's it—the next time I see Rachel, I'm calling her to account! I simply can't tolerate her selfish behavior any longer. I'm sure the boss is going to call me to account for my outburst during the meeting.
2. To blame one for something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "call" and "account." I was the lead salesperson, so I knew that I would be called to account when my team lost that big client.
See also: account, call
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

call someone to account

to ask one to explain and justify one's behavior, policy, performance, etc. The sergeant called the police officer to account. I called my workers to account for the accident.
See also: account, call
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

call to account

1. Hold answerable, as in One day soon we'll be called to account for the child's behavior: [Mid-1500s]
2. Challenge or contest, as in The IRS is bound to call us to account on these deductions. [First half of 1800s]
See also: account, call
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

call somebody to acˈcount (for/over something)

(formal) make somebody explain a mistake, loss, etc: His manager called him to account over the missing reports.
See also: account, call, somebody
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

call to account

1. To challenge or contest.
2. To hold answerable for.
See also: account, call
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • buy (yourself) time
  • buy time
  • angle
  • angling
  • freshen up
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • arrange for
  • arrange for some time
  • arrange some music for
  • involve with (someone or something)