VocabDictionary

hold us accountable

/hoʊld ʌs əˈkaʊntəbəl/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.idiom

To require that a group, organization, or collective (referred to as 'us') remains responsible for its actions, decisions, and promises, and to expect consequences if those obligations are not met.

Example Sentences:
  • As a public institution, we encourage the community to hold us accountable for how we spend tax dollars.
  • If we fail to meet our diversity goals, we expect our employees and clients to hold us accountable.
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Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “hold us accountable”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

A modern English idiomatic construction combining the verb 'hold' (in the sense of binding someone to an obligation, from Old English 'healdan') with the pronoun 'us' and the adjective 'accountable' (meaning answerable or responsible, originating from the Old French 'aconter', meaning to reckon or count). The phrase has grown significantly in usage within corporate, political, and social justice contexts to emphasize collective transparency and responsibility.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine 'holding' a mirror up to 'us' so we can 'count' (account) our actions and take responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions About “hold us accountable

1. What is the meaning of “hold us accountable” in English?

In English, hold us accountable (idiom) is defined as: “To require that a group, organization, or collective (referred to as 'us') remains responsible for its actions, decisions, and promises, and to expect consequences if those obligations are not met.”.

2. How do you use “hold us accountable” in a sentence?

As a public institution, we encourage the community to hold us accountable for how we spend tax dollars.

3. What are English synonyms of “hold us accountable”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “hold us accountable”?

A modern English idiomatic construction combining the verb 'hold' (in the sense of binding someone to an obligation, from Old English 'healdan') with the pronoun 'us' and the adjective 'accountable' (meaning answerable or responsible, originating from the Old French 'aconter', meaning to reckon or count). The phrase has grown significantly in usage within corporate, political, and social justice contexts to emphasize collective transparency and responsibility.