draw a blank: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘draw a blank’ mean?
The idiom draw a blank means to be unable to recall or find the answer to something, to have no information or ideas about a particular subject.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "know beans about" means to have little or no knowledge about a particular subject or topic.
The idiom "in the dark" means being unaware or uninformed about something, lacking knowledge or understanding. It is often used to describe a situation where someone is kept ignorant or intentionally left out of important information or events.
The idiom "hell if I know" is used to express a lack of knowledge or understanding about something.
The idiom "go back to the drawing board" means to start over or try a different approach because the current one has failed or is not effective.
The idiom "forget oneself" means to lose control of one's emotions or behavior, usually in a way that is unusual or inappropriate for the situation.
The idiom "fogged out" means to be in a state of confusion, disorientation, or lack of clarity, similar to being unable to see clearly in dense fog.
The idiom "fly blind" means to operate without clear information or guidance. It conveys the idea of taking action without being fully aware of the situation or its potential consequences.
The idiom "fill in the blank" means to provide missing information or complete an unfinished statement or question. It is often used when the speaker intentionally leaves out a word or phrase, requiring the listener to supply the missing part.
The idiom "dry up and blow away" means to disappear or become forgotten, often due to lack of attention or relevance. It conveys the idea of something becoming insignificant or irrelevant over time.
The idiom "draw the line" means to set a limit or establish a boundary beyond which one is unwilling to go or accept.
The Mysterious Void
The idiom "draw a blank" is commonly used in American English to describe a situation where someone is unable to remember or recall something. It is often used when a person's mind goes blank, and they cannot retrieve the desired information from their memory. The phrase is believed to have originated in the early 19th century and has since become a widely recognized and frequently used expression.
One theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the concept of drawing a lottery or raffle ticket from a blank, or empty, container. In this context, "drawing a blank" would mean receiving a ticket that has no winning number or prize associated with it. This metaphorical extension of the phrase could be used to describe the feeling of not receiving the desired result or answer when searching for information.
Another possible explanation for the idiom's origin lies in the act of drawing a blank space on a piece of paper or a chalkboard. In this sense, "drawing a blank" could imply coming up with a blank or empty space instead of a desired image or outcome. The blank space represents the absence or lack of information, aligning with the idiom's meaning of not being able to recall or access the desired information in one's mind.
Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "draw a blank" has gained popularity over the years and is commonly used in various contexts. It is often utilized in informal conversations, as well as in written texts, to depict situations where a person cannot remember or find the information they are seeking. The phrase is versatile and can be applied to different scenarios such as forgetting a name, failing to recall a fact, or being unable to solve a problem.
"Draw a blank" is related to the idiom "blank out," which is used to describe a similar situation where someone's mind goes blank and they cannot remember or recall something. While "draw a blank" is often used specifically in the context of searching for information, "blank out" can refer to any instance where a person's mind becomes blank or empty. The two idioms share a common theme of experiencing a mental block and being unable to retrieve desired information from memory.
"Draw a blank" is also related to the idiom "fill in the blank," which is used to indicate that certain information is missing or incomplete and needs to be filled in. While "draw a blank" focuses on the inability to remember or access information, "fill in the blank" refers to the need to provide or complete missing information. The two idioms complement each other, with "draw a blank" highlighting the problem of not being able to recall information and "fill in the blank" offering a solution to complete missing details.
The idiom "draw a blank" is widely used in American English to convey the inability to remember or recall information. Whether derived from the concept of drawing a losing lottery ticket or the act of drawing a blank space, the idiom effectively captures the experience of experiencing a mental block or failure to retrieve the desired information. As a result, "draw a blank" continues to be utilized in everyday language, reminding us of our inherent limitations in memory and perception.
Example usage
1. I tried to remember my friend's name, but I drew a blank.
2. When the teacher called on me, my mind went blank and I drew a blank on the answer.
3. The detective asked the suspect where he was last night, but the suspect drew a blank and couldn't recall his whereabouts.
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