chalk something up to experience

English

Verb

chalk something up to experience (third-person singular simple present chalks something up to experience, present participle chalking something up to experience, simple past and past participle chalked something up to experience)

1. (idiomatic) To take a lesson from a bad outcome instead of grieving it.

   Synonym: put something down to experience

   • 1990, Michele Loftus, How to Start and Operate a Home-based Word Processing Or Desktop Publishing Business, Adams Media Corporation, →ISBN:

     However, if the amounts are small and you've exhausted your personal resources, you can chalk it up to experience and write it off at the end of the year. (I did this on several small checks returned for insufficient funds.)

   • 2009 December 7, Michael Anthony, Memoirs of a White Man, Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN, page 71:

     When I am scammed, I take my lumps and chalk it up to experience. I then use all my resources and skills to destroy those involved in committing the scam.

   • 2012 November 30, Derek Wilson, The Triarchs, Hachette UK, →ISBN:

     'Take them to court – or just chalk it up to experience.' 'Don't suppose for a moment that Kodomo would adopt the same attitude. He brought you all the way out here to do something for him. Whatever it is, he'll expect you to deliver.

Usage notes

The verbs chalk up to and put down to are used to indicate that the object causes the subject. In this idiom, however, the object is caused by the subject. That is, the bad outcome has led the person in question to gain experience.