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[1128] Draw a blank

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To be unable to remember something or think of anything.

Origin

  • Possibly related to lotteries or raffles where drawing a blank ticket meant winning nothing.
  • Metaphorically extended to the mind drawing nothing when trying to recall information.
  • Used since the late 19th century.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • My mind went blank.
  • I can't recall.
  • It slipped my mind.
  • I forgot.
  • The name escapes me.
  • Have a brain fart (Informal/slang, momentary mental lapse)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Totally blanked.
  • Had a brain fart. / Having a brainfart.
  • My brain stopped working.
  • Lost my train of thought. (Slightly different, refers to forgetting what you were saying/thinking).

Milder/Standard:

  • I can't seem to remember.
  • It's not coming to me right now.
  • I've forgotten for the moment.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate in most informal and semi-formal situations.
  • Acceptable in most work contexts unless frequent memory lapses are a serious issue.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Non-native speakers might not connect drawing with memory.
  • Explain it means failing to retrieve information, like pulling an empty slip from a container.

Examples

  • I tried to remember his name, but I just drew a blank.
  • When the teacher asked me the question, I drew a blank.
  • What should we get her for her birthday? I'm drawing a blank.

Dialogue

Chris: What was the name of that restaurant we liked in Boston?

Dana: Oh, um... wait... I'm drawing a blank. It had a blue door...

Chris: Was it Neptune Oyster?

Dana: No, that's not it... Ah, I can't remember!

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Trying to think of witty captions for my vacation photos but totally drawing a blank. Help! #WriterBlock #Travel
  • Facebook status: Had an exam today and completely drew a blank on one of the main questions. So frustrating! 😩 #StudentLife #ExamStress
  • Comment: Someone asked me for directions today and I drew a blank even though I live here lol.

Response Patterns

  • It happens to everyone.
  • Maybe it will come to you later.
  • Let me see if I can remember... (If the responder might know)
  • Don't worry about it.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After being reassured (It happens):

  • The person might try again to remember or move on. Yeah, maybe I'll think of it later. Anyway...

If someone else tries to help (Let me see...):

  • The original person might provide more context to help the other person remember. He was the guy we met at Sarah's party, tall with glasses?

Conversation Starter

  • No. Describes a state of being unable to remember, usually in response to a question or during a thought process.

Intonation

  • Stress usually on DRAW and BLANK.
  • Often said with a slightly frustrated or apologetic tone.
  • I DREW a BLANK.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used by all generations.
  • Have a brain fart is more common among younger generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
Cut corners
🎲 Easier said than done