make allowances for — to consider special circumstances or make exceptions for someone or something
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to consider special circumstances or make exceptions for someone or something
Pronunciation (IPA): /meɪk əˈlaʊənsɪz fɔr/
Example Sentences
- The teacher makes allowances for students who have learning disabilities.
- My boss makes allowances for my terrible cooking when I bring lunch to the office potluck.
- We should make allowances for traffic when planning our departure time.
make allowances for
VERB[/meɪk əˈlaʊənsɪz fɔr/]
to consider special circumstances or make exceptions for someone or something
The teacher decided to make allowances for the student who came late after helping his sick mother.
Beyond strict announcements, she makes allowances
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word 'allowance' derives from 14th-century French 'alowance', itself formed from 'allow' meaning 'to permit or acknowledge'. Originally denoting an allocated portion or share, the term evolved to encompass the sense of 'special consideration or factor to be taken into account'.
Breakdown
allow (to permit, acknowledge) + -ance (noun-forming suffix denoting action, state, or quality). The phrase 'make allowances for' combines this nominal form with the verb 'make' to express the action of granting special consideration.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher makes allowances for students who have learning disabilities.”
“My boss makes allowances for my terrible cooking when I bring lunch to the office potluck.”
“We should make allowances for traffic when planning our departure time.”
“My cat makes no allowances for my need to sleep past 5 AM.”
📚Related Words
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