To come up to the chalk is to “toe the line,” to meet all requirements.
1839. Cases have happened in which some have not come “up to the chalk,” in the language of another gentleman,—have not followed in the footsteps of the party leaders. Mr. Saltonstall of Mass., House of Representatives, Dec. 21: Cong. Globe, p. 187 (Appendix). The gentleman from Pennsylvania [insinuated] that I was afraid to come up to what I believe he called the “scratch.” (Some one here said aloud that his language was “walk up to the chalk.”)—Mr. Bell of Tennessee, in the same debate.
