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

Cornerstone recruit Ryan Beaumont tallied eight kills and five blocks for the Porters (23-8, 4-1), while Edgewood commit Drew Miller added 13 digs and senior setter Antonio Fiordirosa chalked up 17 assists and two kills. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026

All the teamwork results in some very creative videos that chalk up to Margo’s art project and self expression, which is unique and stands out enough to get her major attention and more subscribers. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 May 2026

Resistance to change can be chalked up to old curmudgeonly thinking, or sentimental attachment. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

Most people experience some combination of these without connecting them to a nutrient gap — because the signs are easy to chalk up to stress, aging or a busy season of life. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 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