ENGLISH
REFERENCE

chalk up

phr. v..
C1 Advanced Oxford

phr. v.. to achieve or record a success, a win, or a specific amount of something.

phr. v.. to credit or attribute a success, score, or achievement to someone or something; often used in competitive or financial contexts.


SIMPLE

The team managed to chalk up another win.

CONTEXTUAL

By the end of the quarter, the sales department had chalked up record profits despite the slow start.

COMPLEX

The veteran politician chalked up yet another legislative victory, further cementing his reputation as a master of backroom negotiations.

Origin

Probably from the fact that many problems were figured out using chalk on a chalk board.

Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
chalk + up + object
Usage

usually followed by a noun representing a score, a victory, or a total amount.

Teaching tip

explain the origin of writing scores on a chalkboard in a pub or shop to help students visualize 'recording' a number.

Pitfall

They chalked another win up.They chalked up another win.while technically separable, it is much more common to keep 'chalk up' together before the object.

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