chalk up

verb

chalked up; chalking up; chalks up
Synonyms of chalk upnext

transitive verb

1
: ascribe, credit
chalked up his failures to inexperience
2
: attain, achieve
chalk up another victory

Synonyms of chalk up

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Examples of chalk up in a Sentence

let's chalk up her weird behavior to simple nervousness chalked up a record in singles tennis that is likely to stand for a long time
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Young, who also had a fumble, has been impressed with Freeling’s competitiveness in his first camp and chalked up the rookie’s struggles to who lined up opposite him. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Maybe part of the frenzy might be chalked up to the idea that in times of uncertainty, people want to collect pieces that feel solid, both literally and figuratively. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026 Most of all, Kay praises the formula for its smoothing and radiance-boosting effects, which can be chalked up to humectants like glycerin and propylene glycol, plus brightening Japanese persimmon leaf extract and camellia seed oil. — Jenny Berg, InStyle, 19 Aug. 2026 The reason the remains were found now can quite likely be chalked up to the concerning drop in water levels at the lake. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chalk up

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of chalk up was in 1877

Rhymes for chalk up

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Browse Nearby Words

chalk talk
chalk up
chalkware
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chalk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chalk%20up. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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