chalk

by a long chalk

By a wide margin, as of time, distance, ability, etc. Often used in the negative to indicate not at all or by no means. Primarily heard in UK. He won that match by a long chalk. I'm not done yet, not by a long chalk!See also: by, chalk, long

not by a long chalk

Not at all; not by great or any means. Primarily heard in UK. I'm not beaten yet, not by a long chalk!See also: by, chalk, long, not

chalk off

1. In sports, to disallow a goal due to a technical rule of the game. Primarily heard in UK. Their last-minute goal would have won the match, but it was chalked off due to an offsides ruling by the referee.2. To record, mark, or make note of something, especially as having been completed. I always find it bittersweet to chalk off another birthday each year.3. To delineate the border of something with chalk. You always see the police chalk off bodies of murder victims in movies. I wonder if they do that in real life.See also: chalk, off

chalk (something or someone) off

To presume, dismiss, or disregard someone or something as being a certain way. I really liked his earlier music, but I've chalked him off as a total sellout in recent years. Most people chalked the film off as yet another brainless horror movie.See also: chalk, off

chalk (something) up to experience

To regard a bad situation, action, or outcome as a learning experience rather than dwelling on its negative impact. I know you're upset about failing your exam, but just chalk it up to experience and try harder next time!See also: chalk, experience, up

chalk it up

To link something that has happened to a particular reason or circumstance. Don't get too down on yourselves after this loss, boys. Let's just chalk it up to inexperience and move on. Sure, getting a B in Algebra is disappointing, but I'm just going to chalk it up to the fact that I'm usually terrible at math!See also: chalk, up

know chalk from cheese

To be able to tell two things apart (especially by recognizing their differences). Of course I know which twin is which, I know chalk from cheese, after all! Leah has a beauty mark under her left eye, and Deena doesn't.See also: chalk, cheese, know

make chalk of one and cheese of the other

To favor one person or thing over another. In this phrase, "chalk" is something worthless, while "cheese" is something valuable. I can't stand how unfairly you treat your sons—stop making chalk of one and cheese of the other!See also: and, chalk, cheese, make, of, one, other

walk the chalk

To show one's competence in a particular area. This outdated phrase refers to a sobriety test in which one had to walk between chalk lines. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to walk the chalk, but I got a perfect score on my exam!See also: chalk, walk

at the chalkface

In the act of teaching. Because she's a new teacher, she still gets very nervous while at the chalkface. All of my students failed the test, despite the many hours I spent at the chalkface on that subject.

be chalk and cheese

To be very different from one another. Good luck getting those two to talk to each other—they're like chalk and cheese. My daughters are chalk and cheese these days—one loves baseball and the other loves ballet.See also: and, chalk, cheese

chalk out

1. To illustrate something, often a plan or concept, by literally drawing it in chalk. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chalk" and "out." The architect quickly chalked out her vision for the addition to our house, to gauge our initial reactions to it.2. To explain something to someone. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chalk" and "out." I still don't understand your idea. Can you start over and chalk it all out for me?See also: chalk, out

chalk up

1. Literally, to write something in chalk, as on a chalkboard. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chalk" and "up." Once I finish chalking up tonight's homework assignment, we can discuss last night's reading.2. To earn something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chalk" and "up." After you chalk up enough frequent flier miles, you will be able to get plane tickets for free.3. To add something to a tally. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chalk" and "up." Hank just scored a basket, so chalk one up for him. Chalk up a few more states for the incumbent.4. To attribute something to something else (which is stated after "to"). A noun or pronoun can be used between "chalk" and "up." They're a very young team, so we'll chalk this loss up to inexperience and nerves.5. To blame one for something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "chalk" and "up." I had nothing to do with the prank, but I'm sure they'll chalk it up against me anyway.See also: chalk, up

chalk (something) up to (something)

To attribute something to something else (which is stated after "to"). They're a very young team, so we'll chalk this loss up to inexperience and nerves.See also: chalk, up

(as) different as chalk and cheese

Very different from one another or in conflict. Primarily heard in UK. Good luck getting those two to talk to each other—they're as different as chalk and cheese. My daughters are different as chalk and cheese these days—one loves baseball and the other loves ballet.See also: and, chalk, cheese, different

chalk and talk

A style of teaching in which the teacher writes on a blackboard (with chalk) and lectures the class. This phrase is often used to criticize such traditional teaching methods. Primarily heard in UK. You shouldn't just rely on chalk and talk—you need to interact with your students so that they connect with the material.See also: and, chalk, talk

like chalk and cheese

Very different from one another; totally or nearly opposite in nature. Good luck getting those two to talk to each other—they're like chalk and cheese. My daughters are like chalk and cheese these days—one loves baseball and the other loves ballet.See also: and, chalk, cheese, like

chalk and cheese

A phrase used to emphasize that two people or things are very different from one another. Good luck getting those two to talk to each other—they're like chalk and cheese. My daughters are chalk and cheese these days—one loves baseball and the other loves ballet.See also: and, chalk, cheese

chalk something out

1. Lit. to draw a picture of something in chalk, especially to illustrate a plan of some type. The coach chalked the play out so the players could understand what they were to do. Our team captain chalked out the play. 2. Fig. to explain something carefully to someone, as if one were talking about a chalk drawing. She chalked out the details of the plan over the phone.See also: chalk, out

chalk something up

1. Lit. to write something on a chalkboard. Let me chalk this formula up so you all can see it. I'll chalk up the formula. 2. Fig. to add a mark or point to one's score. See also chalk something up (against someone).) Chalk another goal for Sarah. Chalk up another basket for the other side.See also: chalk, up

chalk something up

(against someone) Fig. to blame someone for something; to register something against someone. I will have to chalk another fault up against Fred. She chalked up a mark against Dave.See also: chalk, up

chalk something up (to something)

Fig. to recognize something as the cause of something else. We chalked her bad behavior up to her recent illness. I had to chalk up the loss to inexperience.See also: chalk, up

chalk up

1. Score or earn, as in She chalked up enough points to be seeded first in the tournament. This term alludes to recording accounts (and later, scores) in chalk on a slate. [c. 1700] 2. Credit or ascribe, as They chalked their success up to experience. [First half of 1900s] See also: chalk, up

by a long chalk

BRITISHYou can use by a long chalk to make a statement stronger, especially a negative statement or one that contains a superlative. Not all of them are Republicans, not by a long chalk. Where do you think you're going, Kershaw? You haven't finished by a long chalk. In fact this book is by a long chalk the best biography of Sayers so far published. Note: This expression may refer to the practice of making chalk marks on the floor to show the score of a player or team. `A long chalk' would mean `a lot of points' or `a great deal'. See also: by, chalk, long

like chalk and cheese

chalk and cheese

BRITISHIf two people or things are like chalk and cheese or are chalk and cheese, they are completely different from each other. Marianne and Ellis are like chalk and cheese. She's very serious and studious while he's sporty and sociable. Our relationship works because we are very aware of our differences, we accept that we are chalk and cheese.See also: and, chalk, cheese, like

put something down to experience

chalk something up to experience

COMMON If you chalk a failure or bad experience up to experience or put it down to experience, you do not get very upset about it because you will learn from it in the future. I was disappointed not to win, but I've just got to chalk it up to experience and go on. They could have parted friends and put the whole incident down to experience.See also: down, experience, put, something

as different as chalk and cheese (or like chalk and cheese)

fundamentally different or incompatible. British The opposition of chalk and cheese hinges on their being totally different in all qualities other than their rather similar appearance.See also: and, chalk, cheese, different

by a long chalk

by far. British This expression is based on the old custom of marking up points scored in a game with chalk on a blackboard, as is its opposite not by a long chalk meaning ‘by no means; not at all’.See also: by, chalk, long

chalk and talk

teaching by traditional methods focusing on the blackboard and presentation by the teacher as opposed to more informal or interactive methods. BritishSee also: and, chalk, talk

walk the chalk

have your sobriety tested. A traditional method of ascertaining whether someone is sober or not is to see whether they can walk along a line chalked on the ground without wobbling.See also: chalk, walk

(like) ˌchalk and ˈcheese

(also as different as ˌchalk and ˈcheese) (British English, informal) very different: It’s hard to imagine that Mark and John are brothers — they’re like chalk and cheese.See also: and, chalk, cheese

put something down to exˈperience

(also chalk it up to exˈperience especially American English ) accept a failure, loss, etc. as being something that you can learn from: When her second novel was rejected by the publisher, she put it down to experience and began another one.See also: down, experience, put, something

not by a ˈlong chalk

(British English) (also not by a ˈlong shot American English, British English ) (informal) not nearly; not at all: ‘Do you think she’s ready to take this exam?’ ‘No, not by a long chalk.’ ♢ This election isn’t over yet, not by a long shot.See also: by, chalk, long, not

chalk up

v.1. To earn or score something: The baseball team chalked up four runs in the last inning.2. To credit or ascribe something: Let's just chalk the mistakes up to experience and try to do better on the next project.See also: chalk, up

apples and oranges, like comparing

Comparing two unlike objects or issues. This term, dating from the second half of the 1900s, has largely replaced the difference between chalk and cheese, at least in America. The latter expression of disparateness is much older, dating from the 1500s. Why apples and oranges, since they’re both fruits, and not some other object is unclear. Nevertheless, it has caught on and is on the way to being a cliché.See also: and, apple, compare, like

chalk it up to, to

To credit or ascribe something. The term comes from the practice of keeping accounts by writing them down with chalk on a slate. It was long used in shops, restaurants, and bars, and later also to keep score in games and sports. The figurative use, as in “chalk it up to experience,” dates from the nineteenth century. See also: chalk, up

chalk and cheese

Two objects that although appearing to be similar are in fact different. Just as certain varieties of crumbly white cheese might at first glance resemble chalk, so for example, siblings who resemble each other might have completely different personalities. They would be said to be as different as chalk and cheese.See also: and, chalk, cheese

chalk

chalk,

mineral of calcium carbonatecalcium carbonate,
CaCO₃, white chemical compound that is the most common nonsiliceous mineral. It occurs in two crystal forms: calcite, which is hexagonal, and aragonite, which is rhombohedral.
..... Click the link for more information. , similar in composition to limestone, but softer. It is characteristically a marine formation and sometimes occurs in great thickness; the chief constituents of these chalk deposits are the shells of minute animals called foraminiferansforaminiferan
, common name for members of the class Foraminifera, large, shelled ameboid protozoans belonging to the phylum Sarcodina. Most foraminiferan shells are calcareous, but some are siliceous, and others are built of sand grains.
..... Click the link for more information. . Chalk has been laid down in all periods of geologic time, but most of the best-known deposits, e.g., the cliffs of the English Channel, date from the Cretaceous periodCretaceous period
, third and last period of the Mesozoic era of geologic time (see Geologic Timescale, table), lasting from approximately 144 to 65 million years ago. The Cretaceous was marked, in both North America and Europe, by extensive submergences of the continents.
..... Click the link for more information. . Chalk is used in the manufacture of putty, plaster, cement, quicklime, mortar, and rubber goods and also for blackboard chalk. Harder forms are used as building stones. Poor soils containing an excessive proportion of clay are frequently improved and sweetened by mixing chalk into them.

Chalk

a weakly cemented, fine-grained variety of carbonate rock that has the property of rubbing off when pressed against a surface. It consists primarily of calcium carbonate that is of natural origin or is synthetically obtained. Natural chalk is composed primarily of calcite skeletal particles of microorganisms: the calcareous algae Coccolithophoridae (70–90 percent) and the rhizopods Foraminifera (1–20 percent). Chalk occasionally contains mollusk shells and the skeletons of pearlworts, sea urchins, sea lilies, siliceous sponges, and corals.

The chemical composition of chalk is 50–55 percent CaO, 0.2–0.3 percent MgO, 0.5–6.0 percent SiO₂, 0.2–4.0 percent Al₂O₃, 0.02–0.7 percent Fe₂O₃ + FeO, and 40–43 percent CO₂. The mineral composition is 90–99 percent calcite, 1–8 percent clay minerals (montmorillonite, hydromica, and kaolinite), 0.01–0.1 percent pyrite, 0.1–0.5 percent glauconite, 0.2–6 percent quartz, 0.01–7.0 percent opal, 0.01–0.50 percent zeolite-heulandite, and 0.01 percent barite. More than 90 percent of the particles in chalk are usually less than 0.01 mm in size. The density of chalk is 2.70–2.72 g/cm³. The volumetric mass of the skeleton is 1.42–1.56 g/cm₃. Porosity is 45–50 percent. Natural moisture is 30–33 percent. Wet chalk has a compressive strength of 1–2 meganewtons per sq m (10–20 kilograms-force per sq cm); the corresponding figure for dry chalk is 4–5 meganewtons per sq m (40–50 kilograms-force per sq cm). Concretions of flint, pyrite, and phosphorite are sometimes scattered throughout the chalk. Chalk is a semihardened sea ooze deposited at depths of 30–500 m and more. It is common in nature and is primarily confined to Upper Cretaceous and Lower Paleogene beds.

The largest zone of chalk deposits stretches from the Emba River in Western Kazakhstan to Great Britain. In places the beds are hundreds of meters thick—for example, 600 m in the Kharkov region.

Depending on the method of production and area of primary use, chalk in the USSR is subdivided into types, brands, and grades established by the All-Union State Standards (1972). Chalk is used in agriculture for liming soils and for animal feed supplements. In industry chalk is used to produce cement and lime; as a filler for rubber, plastics, and paints and varnishes; in obtaining soda and glass; in sugar refining; and in the production of chalk for school. Precipitated chalk is used in medicine (as a therapeutic preparation) and in the toiletries industry (as a constituent of tooth powders). In the plastic arts chalk is used as a base for levkas and other grounds and as a component in making paints (including pastels). White chalk and black chalk are used for drawing.

In the USSR chalk deposits are concentrated in Briansk, Belgorod, Ul’ianovsk, and Saratov oblasts of the RSFSR and in the Ukrainian SSR, the Byelorussian SSR, and the Kazakh SSR; the major deposits abroad are in France (the Paris Basin), Great Britain, and Denmark.

G. I. BUSHINSKII

chalk

[chȯk] (materials) Artificially prepared pure calcium carbonate; used as the basis for pastels. Also known as whiting. (petrology) A variety of limestone formed from pelagic organisms; it is very fine-grained, porous, and friable; white or very light-colored, it consists almost entirely of calcite.

chalk

A soft limestone, usually white, gray, or buff in color, composed chiefly of the calcareous remains of marine organisms.

chalk

1. a soft fine-grained white sedimentary rock consisting of nearly pure calcium carbonate, containing minute fossil fragments of marine organisms, usually without a cementing material 2. Billiards Snooker a small cube of prepared chalk or similar substance for rubbing the tip of a cue

chalk

chalk

chalk

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chalk

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Chalk

chalk

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chalk

by a long chalk

not by a long chalk

chalk off

chalk (something or someone) off

chalk (something) up to experience

chalk it up

know chalk from cheese

make chalk of one and cheese of the other

walk the chalk

at the chalkface

be chalk and cheese

chalk out

chalk up

chalk (something) up to (something)

(as) different as chalk and cheese

chalk and talk

like chalk and cheese

chalk and cheese

chalk something out

chalk something up

chalk something up

chalk something up (to something)

chalk up

by a long chalk

like chalk and cheese

chalk and cheese

put something down to experience

chalk something up to experience

as different as chalk and cheese (or like chalk and cheese)

by a long chalk

chalk and talk

walk the chalk

(like) ˌchalk and ˈcheese

put something down to exˈperience

not by a ˈlong chalk

chalk up

apples and oranges, like comparing

chalk it up to, to

chalk and cheese

chalk

chalk,

Chalk

chalk

chalk

chalk

Chalk

cal·ci·um car·bon·ate

cal·ci·um car·bon·ate

CHALK

chalk

Synonyms for chalk

noun a soft whitish calcite

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noun a pure flat white with little reflectance

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noun an amphetamine derivative (trade name Methedrine) used in the form of a crystalline hydrochloride

Synonyms

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noun a piece of calcite or a similar substance, usually in the shape of a crayon, that is used to write or draw on blackboards or other flat surfaces

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verb write, draw, or trace with chalk

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