chalk up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To record or attribute a score, success, or achievement: To officially write down or assign points, a victory, or an accomplishment, often in a competitive context or as a tally. 2. To accumulate something, typically a debt or expense: To gradually build up an amount owed, especially for goods or services received.
Usage
- The core meaning is to officially note or assign something to an account, record, or person.
- Often used in sports or business contexts for tracking scores, wins, or debts.
- When used for achievements, it can imply a sense of personal accomplishment or credit.
Examples
- Recording a score/achievement:
- The team chalked up another victory last night, making it five wins in a row.
- She chalked up her success to hard work and perseverance.
- Accumulating a debt:
- He chalked up a large bar tab over the weekend.
- The company had chalked up significant losses before the new management took over.
Advanced Usage
- "chalk something up to experience": To regard a negative event as a learning opportunity rather than a total failure.
- I didn't get the job, but I'll chalk it up to experience and try again.
Variants and Related Words
- Chalkboard (n): A blackboard, a surface for writing on with chalk.
- Chalky (adj): Resembling or containing chalk.
Synonyms
- Attribute (v): To regard something as being caused by.
- Record (v): To set down in writing or another permanent form.
- Accrue (v): To accumulate or receive over time.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(This word is itself a phrasal verb.)
Related Idioms
- "By a long chalk" (British English): By a wide margin; by far.
- That was the best performance by a long chalk.
Verb
- keep score, as in games
- accumulate as a debt
- he chalked up $100 in the course of the evening