English Reference

Phrasal verb

chalk off

Definition

phrasal verb. To mark a task as finished or to record an achievement. You use this when you want to show that you have completed one part of a larger goal.

phrasal verb. To record the completion of a task or a success. This transitive verb often implies a sense of progress through a list or a series of milestones and is primarily found in British English.

Examples

“She chalked off the last few days before her holiday.”

“By the end of the afternoon, the team had chalked off every major task on the project checklist.”

“The explorer chalked off each milestone of the arduous journey, documenting his progress in a weathered leather journal as he neared the summit.”

Examples

simple

“She chalked off the last few days before her holiday.”

contextual

“By the end of the afternoon, the team had chalked off every major task on the project checklist.”

complex

“The explorer chalked off each milestone of the arduous journey, documenting his progress in a weathered leather journal as he neared the summit.”

Usage

Usually takes a task, a goal, or a period of time as its direct object.

Teaching tip

Use the image of a chalkboard to help students visualize recording a score or crossing out a finished item; contrast with 'tick off' for general lists.

Pitfall

I chalked off my success to hard work.

I chalked up my success to hard work.

'Chalk off' means to complete a task, whereas 'chalk up to' is the correct phrase for attributing a result to a specific cause.

Phrasal verb

Particles

off

Separability

optional

Pattern

chalk + off + object

Synonyms

tick offcross offachievecomplete

Antonyms

failmissleave undone

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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