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Glite Dictionary
to chalk out

to chalk out

6.1
To make a simple plan or outline for something
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : esbozar
  • Before starting the project, the team decided to chalk out their goals and timeline.

Examples

  • After exploring and much deliberation, I have chalked out a rough plan for the trip:

    Blog text (5)

  • Given the targeted market niche and the essential strategic choices available to the firm, numerous plans could be chalked out for a social networking campaign.

    Blog text (5)

  • Now these questions will be well answered when you are confident about what you are dealing with and whether you have chalked out the plan for your business.

    Blog text (20)

  • She needed to chalk out a plan for the event to ensure everything ran smoothly.

  • The teacher asked the students to chalk out their ideas for the group presentation.

Synonyms

to sketch
vsto chalk out
45 3.0

To make a quick rough drawing to plan an idea

is about making a rough plan or outline instead of only a drawing
to map out
vsto chalk out
  • Informal
34 3.7

Plan something carefully in detail before doing it

focuses on a rough overall plan rather than careful detailed planning
to sketch out
vsto chalk out
9 3.5

Draw or write a short plan showing the main ideas

is for making a rough plan or preliminary outline
to block out
vsto chalk out
6 3.8

To plan something roughly without details

is used to create an initial plan rather than a finished version
to rough out
vsto chalk out
1 5.1

To make a simple first version of an idea or plan as a quick drawing

focuses on making a rough plan or outline before adding details
to rough in
vsto chalk out
1 6.6

Make a simple first version to show the main plan

is used for forming a rough plan rather than final details

Antonyms

to execute
233 3.6

To carry out a plan or task

How Detailed

plan
∞ 1.0
draft
  • Specialized
245 3.7
to chalk out
6.1
outline
59 2.7
to sketch
45 3.0

Surface Forms

chalk out infinitive
chalked out past
chalked out past participle
chalking out present participle
chalks out third person singular

Morphology

chalk + out

The verb 'chalk' (to draw/mark) combined with the particle 'out' yields a meaning that is a natural extension — to draw or sketch something out as an outline or rough plan — so much of the sense is derivable from the parts. However, the particle 'out' has a verb-modifying, non‑spatial function here that may not be obvious to a B1 learner from the given spatial definition, so full comprehension may require some exposure.

Etymology

The verb chalk out comes from using chalk to draw rough lines on a board or the ground, with out meaning to make the plan visible. That's why it now means 'to make a rough plan, outline, or sketch'.