comes up blank

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comes up blank" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is unable to recall information or produce a response, often in a moment of forgetfulness or confusion. Example: "When I tried to remember her name, my mind just came up blank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Nate comes up blank.

The New Yorker

Ron Fazio Jr., who is to be married on Oct. 14, said he comes up blank each time an interviewer asks his father's hobbies.

The New York Times

No one can crack this one, so when he comes up blank it will be easy to pin the blame on him.

The Guardian - Film

And if she comes up blank on something, I can now have her Google it on Bing, instead of Googling it on Google.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I came up blank.

The New York Times

June came up blank once, twice.

The New York Times

He tried to read what was there but came up blank.

The New Yorker

When we asked Bruce McCall for an idea for a golf cover, he came up blank.

The New Yorker

"It's no use," the cabbie told me after the screen came up blank.

The New York Times

In China, search requests that include words like "Tiananmen Square massacre" or "Dalai Lama" come up blank.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, despite his sincere interest in my quest, the Mark's concierge came up blank.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes up blank" when you want to convey a sense of sudden forgetfulness or inability to recall something, especially when the context suggests that the person should know the information.

Common error

Avoid using "comes up blank" when you mean that something is literally empty or unfilled. The idiom specifically refers to a mental or informational void, not a physical one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes up blank" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is appropriate in the English language. It describes the inability to recall or produce something, typically information or a response. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing memory lapses and failures to find information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

21%

Huffington Post

4%

Less common in

The New York Times - Arts

0%

The Guardian - Sport

0%

The New York Times - Books

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comes up blank" is an idiomatic verb phrase used to describe the inability to recall information or produce a response. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in English. It's versatile enough for various contexts, though primarily found in news and general writing. When aiming for formal tone, alternatives like "has no recollection" might be preferable. The Ludwig examples highlight its use in portraying memory lapses, search failures and situations where expected information is missing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draws a blank

This alternative implies a sudden inability to recall something, similar to "comes up blank" but slightly more informal.

can't recall

Focuses specifically on the inability to remember something.

cannot remember

A more formal way of saying "can't recall".

forgets completely

Highlights the complete loss of memory regarding the subject.

is unable to produce an answer

Describes the inability to formulate a response, often due to lack of knowledge or information.

has no recollection

A more formal phrase indicating a lack of memory.

is at a loss for words

Indicates an inability to speak due to confusion, shock, or surprise.

has a mental block

Suggests a temporary inability to think clearly or recall information due to stress or anxiety.

dries up

Implies that one's ability to remember or articulate something suddenly disappears.

loses train of thought

Describes the interruption of a thought process, leading to forgetfulness or confusion.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "comes up blank"?

It means they are unable to recall information or produce a response, often in a moment of forgetfulness or confusion.

How can I use "comes up blank" in a sentence?

For example, "When I tried to remember her name, I "came up blank"" or "He asked me a question I should have known the answer to, but I "came up blank"."

What can I say instead of "comes up blank"?

You can use alternatives like "draws a blank", "can't recall", or "cannot remember" depending on the context.

Is "comes up blank" formal or informal?

It's generally considered informal, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "has no recollection" or "is unable to produce an answer".