To have a head like a sieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To have a head like a sieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who has a poor memory or forgets things easily. Example: "I can't remember where I put my keys again; I really have a head like a sieve."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, hasn't he a head like a sieve, the same man".

The New Yorker

Hannity said that his wife would "have a field day" with his forgetting Michael D. Cohen's name, because she always teases him for "having a brain like a sieve".

The New Yorker

Brewers like to have a nice foam head.

Cornell University

"Post-it notes stuck everywhere suggest you have a memory like a sieve," she says.

The Guardian - Money

With molecular sieve chromatography L12-R4 interferon was observed to have an apparent molecular weight of 45.000 d, while from its chromatographic behaviour on Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B interferon appeared to be highly hydrophobic like other mammalian interferons.

Duke University

Then come a randy nurse on the pull in the hospital waiting room ("Oh, I've got a mind like a sieve - your mother passed away"), a sozzled bride on her wedding day, and a foul-mouthed, unashamed grannie.

The Guardian

Either way you have to pass it through a sieve.

The New York Times - Food

This White House has leaked like a sieve, in part because people inside it and the administration seem to be so concerned about how unwieldy and unmoored the entire operation is.

The Washington Post

"The northern border has been like a sieve and if you are a bad, smart person, and want to come into the United States, you know that you should go north and not south," Senator Schumer said.

The New York Times

Here is something I may or may not have mentioned before (brain like sieve, can't remember).

BBC

The E spl -C sE spl -Chave evolved from two geneseemse HES-like and one Brd-like gene toat are arranged in a have to hevolvedentation.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to describe someone's forgetfulness in a colorful and easily understood way. It's more engaging than simply saying "they are forgetful".

Common error

While the phrase is acceptable in many settings, avoid using it in formal or professional writing where a more direct and serious tone is expected. Instead of saying someone "has a head like a sieve", try "has difficulty retaining information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to have a head like a sieve" functions as an idiomatic expression. It's a colorful way to describe someone who is forgetful or has a poor memory. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to have a head like a sieve" is a colorful idiom used to describe someone who is forgetful or has a poor memory. While grammatically correct and widely understood, according to Ludwig AI, it's best reserved for informal contexts. More formal situations may call for direct alternatives such as "to be very forgetful" or "to have a poor memory". While not frequently found in formal writing, this idiom adds color and personality to everyday language, making it a memorable way to describe forgetfulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To have a memory like a sieve

Replaces "head" with "memory", directly focusing on the memory aspect.

To be very forgetful

Simplifies the idiom to a direct description of forgetfulness.

To have a poor memory

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a straightforward statement about memory quality.

To always forget things

Focuses on the habitual nature of forgetting.

To be absent-minded

Uses a different adjective to describe a tendency to forget.

To have a mind like a goldfish

Uses a different animal-based comparison to illustrate poor memory.

To have a short memory span

Highlights the limited duration of memory retention.

To not remember things easily

Emphasizes the difficulty in retaining information.

To struggle to recall

Focuses on the effort required to remember.

To have information go in one ear and out the other

Illustrates how information is not retained.

FAQs

How can I use "to have a head like a sieve" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone who forgets things easily. For example: "I can't remember where I parked my car; I must "to have a head like a sieve"."

What does it mean "to have a head like a sieve"?

It's an idiomatic expression used to describe someone who is very forgetful or has a poor memory.

What can I say instead of "to have a head like a sieve"?

You can use alternatives like "to be very forgetful", "to have a poor memory", or "to be absent-minded".

Is it appropriate to use "to have a head like a sieve" in professional settings?

It might be too informal for very formal situations. In professional contexts, consider using more direct phrases like "difficulty retaining information".