english
1
general::
Phrase(s): turn something to good account to use something in such a way that it is to one’s advantage; to make good use of a situation, experience, etc. • Pam turned her illness to good account and did a lot of reading. • Many people turn their retirement time to good account and take up interesting hobbies.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Use for one's benefit, as in He turned the delay to good account, using the time to finish correspondence. This idiom, first recorded in 1878, uses account in the sense of "a reckoning."
American Heritage Idioms