English Reference

Phrasal verb

chalk out

Definition

phr.v. to draw or write something on a surface using chalk.

phr.v. to delineate or mark a surface using chalk as the medium.

Examples

“We need to chalk out a plan for the meeting.”

“The architect sat down with the clients to chalk out the basic layout of the new house.”

“Before the campaign could begin in earnest, the strategy team spent weeks chalking out the potential risks and logistical requirements of the expansion.”

Examples

simple

“We need to chalk out a plan for the meeting.”

contextual

“The architect sat down with the clients to chalk out the basic layout of the new house.”

complex

“Before the campaign could begin in earnest, the strategy team spent weeks chalking out the potential risks and logistical requirements of the expansion.”

Usage

Often used with physical surfaces like boards, pavements, or roads.

Teaching tip

connect this to the image of drawing a rough plan on a chalkboard; it emphasizes the 'outlining' phase rather than the final execution.

Synonyms

delineatemark

Phrasal verb

Particles

out

Separability

optional

Pattern

chalk + out + object

Synonyms

Antonyms

improvisewing it

Grammar

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/chalk-out

English Reference