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
In one particularly egregious example, Shaun demonstrated a level of ignorance and transphobia toward a patient that the show seemed to chalk up to his autism.
—
Sarah Kurchak, TIME, 23 May 2024
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
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Sarah Kurchak, TIME, 23 May 2024
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
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 5 Nov. 2024.
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