1
general::
Hold answerable, as in One day soon we'll be called to account for the child's behavior. [Mid-1500s] 1. Challenge or contest, as in The IRS is bound to call us to account on these deductions. [First half of 1800s] 2.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): call someone to account
to ask one to explain and justify one’s behavior, policy, performance, etc. • The sergeant called the police officer to account. • I called my workers to account for the accident.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs