chalk this up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chalk this up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate attributing a particular outcome or situation to a specific cause or reason. Example: "After reviewing the team's performance, I would chalk this up to a lack of communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Chalk this up as an honourable failure.

The Times

"It's harder to chalk this up to random acts than to flaws in our gun laws".

Independent

Chalk this up to a generational — and meaningful divide in the approach to information.

The New Yorker

A spokesman for the campaign, J.D. Gordon, said: "I'd chalk this up to a scheduling conflict.

The New York Times

If decoration is the art of bringing things together, chalk this up as a success.

The New York Times

Blau and Kahn chalk this up to potential discrimination, conscious or not.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

He chalks this up to being from New Jersey.

The New York Times

I am chalking this up as a good first day in a new job.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Again, I'm chalking this up mostly to the kinds of mistakes all young companies make.

The Guardian - Opinion

When "Have a gay day" became a nationwide catchphrase, the GLF chalked this up as a success – they'd organised "Gay days" in London parks.

Independent

But Mr. Alfred, 30, chalks this up to something else — the fact that his girlfriend moved to San Diego this year so the two could move in together.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chalk this up" when you want to succinctly attribute an outcome or situation to a specific cause, often implying a degree of acceptance or resignation. For example, "We lost the game, but I'll chalk this up to inexperience."

Common error

Avoid using "chalk this up" in situations where a more thorough analysis or investigation is required. The phrase implies a quick attribution, which may not be appropriate for complex issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chalk this up" functions as an idiomatic expression used to attribute a situation or outcome to a specific cause or reason. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase, appearing in contexts ranging from news to academic writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science & Research

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chalk this up" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to attribute a particular outcome or situation to a specific cause or reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts, with a neutral register that suits both formal and informal communication. Alternatives such as ""attribute this to"" and "credit this to" offer similar meanings, but "chalk this up" often carries a nuance of acceptance or resignation. Be mindful of its informal tone and ensure it fits the overall context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attribute this to

Focuses specifically on identifying the cause or origin of something.

credit this to

Emphasizes giving recognition or acknowledging the source of something.

ascribe this to

Suggests assigning a particular quality or characteristic to something.

put it down to

A more informal way of saying 'attribute it to', often used in conversation.

explain this by

Focuses on providing an explanation or reason for something.

consider this as

Highlights the act of regarding or thinking about something in a certain way.

regard this as

Similar to 'consider this as', but slightly more formal.

deem this to be

Suggests a formal judgment or opinion about something.

mark this as

Focuses on identifying or designating something as a particular type or outcome.

set it down as

To state in a definite or formal way.

FAQs

How can I use "chalk this up" in a sentence?

You can use "chalk this up" to attribute something to a specific cause, often implying a degree of acceptance. For example, "We didn't meet our sales goals this quarter, but we can "attribute this to" the economic downturn".

What does "chalk this up" mean?

"Chalk this up" is an idiomatic expression that means to attribute something to a particular cause or reason, often with a sense of acceptance or resignation. It can also mean to consider something a success or failure.

Which is the best way to say the same thing as "chalk this up"?

While alternatives like ""attribute this to"", "credit this to", and "ascribe this to" are similar, "chalk this up" has a slightly more informal tone and often implies a quicker, less detailed assessment.

What is the origin of the idiom "chalk this up"?

The origin of "chalk this up" likely comes from the practice of using chalk to record scores or debts on a board. The phrase suggests adding something to the record, whether it's a success, a failure, or an explanation.