# chalk something up to experience

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/chalk-something-up-to-experience
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To take a lesson from a bad outcome instead of grieving it.

## Examples

- I lost the game, but I will chalk it up to experience.
- The project failed because of poor planning, so we decided to chalk it up to experience and move on.
- Rather than dwelling on the financial losses of his failed startup, he chose to chalk it up to experience, viewing the setback as a necessary lesson for his future endeavors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.