chalk up

verb

chalked up; chalking up; chalks up

transitive verb

1

: ascribe, credit

chalked up his failures to inexperience

2

: attain, achieve

chalk up another victory

Synonyms of chalk up

• attribute
• ascribe

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

Even at the time, these hints were chalked up to a game of high-stakes chicken over the summer between Ellison and California. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Though Ortega’s departure was originally chalked up to scheduling with her Netflix series Wednesday, the actress has since acknowledged the truth behind her departure. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2026

There is no doubt this one will be chalked up as an incorrect decision in the eyes of the KMI panel. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The Texas head coach had abandoned a halftime on-field interview with Laura Rutledge, which the sideline reporter chalked up to technical difficulties that cut into the coach’s limited halftime intermission. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for chalk up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup