1. to regard failure as a learning experience rather than focusing on negative implications
Professional
Social
it's a shame it didn't work out, but we'll put it down/chalk it up to experience
When you 'put something down to experience' or 'chalk it up to experience', you are expressing that you are using a negative or unsuccessful outcome as a learning experience or teachable moment, rather than dwelling on the negative outcome. You will often hear this expression used in teaching environments or in personal situations, or where the negative outcome has been low risk.