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

1. keep score, as in games
2. accumulate as a debt
   • he chalked up $100 in the course of the evening