give a good account of oneself


Behave or perform creditably, as in Harry gave a good account of himself over the last few months, or The company will probably give a good account of itself in the next quarter. This expression transfers a financial reckoning to other affairs. [c. 1600]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.