chalk (something) up to
idiom
: to explain (something) by stating its cause : to say that (something) was caused by (something)
Chalk it up to bad timing.
Her early mistakes can be chalked up to inexperience.
Examples of chalk (something) up to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
SpaceX was the worst of the bunch, with a 15% drop, which the researchers chalk up to its uniquely stringent requirement: Five days a week in-person.
—
Jane Thier, Fortune, 16 May 2024
The Legislature this year is already off to a sluggish start to law-making, which — similar to the budget delays — critics chalk up to leaders concentrating power and major decisions in the hands of only a few.
—Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 30 June 2023
Some of the symptoms of PCOS, like weight gain and acne, align with those that people on TikTok chalk up to a second puberty, Dr. Dweck says.
—Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 12 Dec. 2022
Jane Thier, Fortune, 16 May 2024
The Legislature this year is already off to a sluggish start to law-making, which — similar to the budget delays — critics chalk up to leaders concentrating power and major decisions in the hands of only a few.
—Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 30 June 2023
Some of the symptoms of PCOS, like weight gain and acne, align with those that people on TikTok chalk up to a second puberty, Dr. Dweck says.
—Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 12 Dec. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chalk (something) up to.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near chalk (something) up to
Cite this Entry
“Chalk (something) up to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chalk%20%28something%29%20up%20to. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
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