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Definition

To be unable to recall a required piece of information.

To fail; not to find anything; to produce no successful response.

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Origins

Probably from the idea of drawing of a blank (losing) ticket in an old-fashioned lottery.

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In Context

  • "I should know that person's name, but I'm drawing a blank."
  • ""Oh," she replied, "when I came to think of it, I saw, that you were right. I thought, 'twas quite likely it [the lottery ticket] would draw a blank.[…]""
  • "When she brainstormed about what else she would do, where else she would go, her mind drew a blank."
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See Also

  • brain cramp
  • come up empty
  • draw blank
  • on the tip of one's tongue
  • thinko