What Does Draw A Blank Mean

Meaning:

The phrase draw a blank means failing to recall a memory; in other words, it means being unable to call up something.

Example: Over the years, Ashley has studied all sorts of plants, then she'southward very knowledgeable on the subject. One day, while she out for a walk, she recognized a certain bloom from her studies; however, she could not recollect of its proper name. Thus, information technology might be said that Ashley was cartoon a blank because she was having difficulty remembering what the blossom was called.

Synonyms / Like Phrases:

ane. Escape one's retentivity
2. Lose one'south railroad train of thought
3. Slip ane's mind

The Origin Of 'Drawing a Blank'

Await a second, what was I about to talk about? I am 'drawing a blank' hither. Oh right, the origin of this phrase! Sometimes when we attempt to recall something from the past, we might struggle to call back. It's as if our brain reaches into a jar total of memories and it pulls out nothing; how frustrating! When people have trouble remembering things, they might utilize the idiom 'drawing a blank' to express as much. But where did this idiom come from?

This phrase is believed to come from old lotteries that took place effectually, or during, the 16th century. How so? Apparently, some of the lotteries back then worked like this:

Ii containers would exist used during the lottery; one container had tickets placed inside of information technology and the names of the participants were probable written down on them. Inside the other container were notes with the prizes written downwardly on them. When the lottery started, here is what would happen:

A ticket with a proper name on it would be drawn from the first container, followed past a prize being fatigued from the second container. The person would win whatever was listed on the prize note. Now, here's the kicker: Some of these lotteries had bare prize notes. As you lot might imagine, if a blank was drawn, that would mean the person won naught.

So regarding this idiom's origin, the idea here is that drawing a blank during these lotteries eventually went on to be practical figuratively to people who try to remember things but come up up short; they effectively are 'drawing blanks' in their heed, as it were.

Case Sentences

Billy was drawing a blank when he tried to remember the date of his doctor's appointment.
I thought I recognized someone from high school, just I drew a blank when it came to their name.

Tip: This site is total of idioms, so if you're unsure what those are, consider going over some

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