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1. Score or earn, as in She chalked up enough points to be seeded first in the tournament. This term alludes to recording accounts (and later, scores) in chalk on a slate. [c. 1700] 2. Credit or ascribe, as They chalked their success up to experience. [First half of 1900s]
American Heritage Idioms
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Phrase(s): chalk something up
1. Lit. to write something on a chalkboard. • Let me chalk this formula up so you all can see it. • I’ll chalk up the formula. 2. Fig. to add a mark or point to one’s score. See also chalk something up (against someone).) • Chalk another goal for Sarah. • Chalk up another basket for the other side., Phrase(s): chalk something up (to something)
Fig. to recognize something as the cause of something else. • We chalked her bad behavior up to her recent illness. • I had to chalk up the loss to inexperience., Phrase(s): chalk something up (against someone)
Fig. to blame someone for something; to register something against someone. • I will have to chalk another fault up against Fred. • She chalked up a mark against Dave.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs