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allowance

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monkey's allowance

Something that yields more abuse than reward. The phrase refers to performing monkeys, who would earn money from passersby and then get kicked by their masters, as encouragement to continue performing. I know they promised you a raise, but I've heard that your new boss is really vicious. I think you'd be getting a monkey's allowance if you worked under him.

See also: allowance

make allowance(s)

 (for someone or something)

1. to allow time, space, food, etc., for someone or something. When planning the party, please make allowances for John and his family. I'm making allowance for ten extra guests.

2. to make excuses or explanations for someone or something; to take into consideration the negative effects of someone or something. You're very late even when we make allowance for the weather. We have to make allowance for the age of the house when we judge its condition.

See also: allowance, make

make allowances for somebody/something

to consider particular facts relating to someone or something We try to make allowances for our students' different language backgrounds. When planning a trip, you have to make allowances for things that you can't know ahead of time, such as crowds or bad weather.

Related vocabulary: allow for something

See also: allowance, make

make allowance for

Also, make allowances for. Take into account extenuating circumstances, as in We have to make allowance for Jeff; he's very new to the business, or Grandma is always making allowances for the children's bad manners. [c. 1700]

See also: allowance, make

make allowance

/allowances for

1. To take into consideration when planning something.

2. To make excuses for or treat with leniency.

See also: allowance, make