帳ちょう尻じりを合あわせる

expression, ichidan verb

balance the accounts; make the books balance

Literal accounting sense: adjusting figures so that totals match, often with a nuance of making things look right.

• 月げつ末まつには必かならず帳ちょう尻じりを合あわせなければならない。

  At the end of the month, we must balance the accounts.

expression, ichidan verb

make consistent; make coherent; square things up

Figurative extension: making a story, explanation, or situation logically consistent, often after the fact.

• 彼かれは話はなしの帳ちょう尻じりを合あわせるために、細こまかい点てんを変かえた。

  He changed the details to make his story consistent.