Giving a Good Account of Oneself: What is its Meaning and Origin

The idiomatic phrase "give a good account of oneself" means to perform well or to conduct oneself in a respectable and admirable manner, especially in difficult or challenging situations. It can also mean to explain or justify one's actions or decisions in a clear and convincing way.

meaning of 'give a good account of oneself'

The phrase "give a good account of oneself" is believed to have originated from the banking and finance industry, where an "account" is a report or statement of financial transactions. In this context, giving a "good account" of oneself would mean providing a detailed and accurate report of one's financial dealings. The phrase later evolved to take on its current idiomatic meaning of performing well or conducting oneself in a respectable and admirable manner.

Here are a few examples of this idiom being used in sentences:

Despite the high pressure and difficult conditions, she gave a good account of herself in the competition.
He was determined to give a good account of himself in the interview and impress the hiring managers.
The team was able to give a good account of themselves in the tournament and secure a spot in the finals.
She gave a good account of herself in the debate by clearly articulating her positions and refuting her opponents' arguments.
The soldiers gave a good account of themselves in battle and were able to successfully defend the fort.
The young athlete gave a good account of himself at the national championships and set a new personal record.
Despite the difficulties he faced, he gave a good account of himself and was able to complete the project on time.
The company's CEO gave a good account of themselves at the annual shareholders' meeting by presenting a clear and concise report on the company's financial performance.
He gave a good account of himself in the trial and was able to prove his innocence.
The actor gave a good account of herself in the play and received rave reviews from critics.

Again, the phrase "give a good account of oneself" means to perform well or conduct oneself in an admirable manner, particularly in difficult or challenging situations. It is used in various situations when being evaluated or judged on performance.

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