take sth into account

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. take sth into account meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "take sth into account"

Meaning

The idiom ‘take something into account’ is used to mean that one should consider factors or information that is being presented to them before making a decision or judgment. It implies that one should look at the issue or situation from all angles, weighing the pros and cons, before arriving at a conclusion or an answer.

Etymology

The phrase has origins in the Latin phrase “res ad consideratum venire” which literally translates to “a thing brought to be considered.” This is where the phrase “take into consideration” comes from as well. The phrase “take into account” first appeared in print in the 19th century as a variation of the original Latin phrase.

Usage

The phrase ‘take something into account’ is commonly used in professional, political and academic contexts. It is used by employers and managers to remind their staff to consider all facts before reaching a conclusion. Politicians often use the phrase to emphasize their stance on an issue, stressing the importance of proper consideration of the facts in the matter. Academics use it to emphasize the importance of objectively evaluating evidence before drawing conclusions.

Example Sentences

• Before you make a decision, you should take all factors into account.
• The board has to take the financial situation into account when deciding how to proceed.
• The scientist took all available data into account before drawing conclusions.

Idioms with similar meanings in different languages

"Barking up the wrong tree" is an English idiom that means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. In German, the similar idiom is "Auf dem Holzweg sein," which translates to "To be on the wrong track." This idiom emphasizes the idea that when you are pursuing the wrong course of action, you are not going to achieve your desired outcome.