make allowances for

make allowances for is an idiom used by many writers. When idioms are used in the right place, they open the doors of effective communication and increase your descriptive power. In this way, you will be better understood. The meaning of the expression make allowances for is also remarkable in this respect.

Meaning of "make allowances for"

Meaning

To make allowances for someone or something is to take into account and accept certain conditions or limits, often temporary, when making decisions or judgments. It can also mean to be understanding and forgiving of another person’s mistakes or faults.

Etymology

The phrase 'make allowances for' first appeared in the early 17th century. The phrase's earliest known use dates back to John Flavel's book The Fountain of Life, 1676. The phrase was initially used to describe providing for someone in a will or testament. Over time, its usage has evolved to encompass a wider range of meanings.

Usage

The phrase 'make allowances for' is often used to describe a situation in which the person making decisions or judgments takes into account certain conditions or limits before making those judgments. It is commonly used to discuss understanding and forgiving another person's mistakes or faults. For example, if someone has had a particularly trying day, you might tell them to make allowances for themselves as they may not be in the right frame of mind to make decisions or carry out tasks.

Example Sentences

• When judging her performance, it's important to make allowances for the fact that she's new to the job.
• I think it's important to make allowances for other people's mistakes.
• The examiners decided to make allowances for the students who had previously missed lessons due to illness.
• When discussing her work, it's important to make allowances for the current difficulties she's been facing.

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.