make allowances for

Are you using the idiom make allowances for but not sure about its meaning? Using idioms, which are important elements of spoken and written language, in the right place strengthens your language skills. Examine the meaning of the make allowances for idiom and the situations in which it is used.

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.

The Surprising Origins of Everyday English Idioms

Many English idioms have surprisingly dark origins, often rooted in violence, death, and superstition. For instance, the phrase "raining cats and dogs" is said to have originated in the 17th century, when heavy rain would often cause dead animals to wash up on the streets. Meanwhile, the idiom "rule of thumb" is believed to have originated from a law that allowed men to beat their wives with a stick no thicker than their thumb.