draw a blank

USAGE SUMMARY

"draw a blank" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in the context of not being able to recall or think of something, especially in response to a question. For example: "When I asked him what the capital of France is, he drew a blank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— I'll draw a blank.

The New Yorker

We draw a blank.

The Guardian - Opinion

but draw a blank for the rest of the night.

The Guardian

When they don't the readers draw a blank.

The New Yorker

But if someone asked us, "Gress much?" we'd draw a blank.

The New York Times

That left the towering American plenty of time to draw a blank.

The New York Times - Sports

As for Scotland, they did not just draw a blank on the try front.

Independent

Ask moviegoers under 40 who she is, and you may draw a blank.

The New York Times

If the inspectors draw a blank, the credulous will conclude that Iraq has no WMD material.

The Economist

Ask what Europe wants – in Ukraine, Syria or the Arctic circle – and you'll draw a blank.

The Guardian - Opinion

You will not find it on Google; questions about it to uninvited Tories draw a blank.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "draw a blank" when you want to express that someone is unable to recall or produce a piece of information, especially in a spontaneous or unexpected situation.

Common error

Avoid using "draw a blank" to describe physical drawing activities; it specifically relates to a mental inability to recall something. For literal drawing context use the verb 'draw' alone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw a blank" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, typically used to express the inability to recall or think of something. Examples show it used when someone fails to remember information or produce a successful response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "draw a blank" is a common and correct English phrase used to describe the inability to recall or think of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to express a temporary mental block or failure to retrieve information. While widely accepted, more formal alternatives like "cannot recall" might be preferable in professional or academic writing. To ensure clarity, avoid using it in contexts related to literal drawing. With a high expert rating and frequent usage, mastering "draw a blank" enhances one's ability to effectively describe moments of memory lapse or cognitive failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot recall

Uses a more direct verb and avoids the idiomatic nature of "draw a blank".

cannot remember

Similar to "cannot recall", it is a straightforward expression of forgetting.

fail to remember

More formal and emphasizes the failure aspect of not remembering.

be unable to recall

A more elaborate way of saying "cannot recall", adding emphasis on the inability.

forget completely

Highlights the totality of forgetting something.

have a mental block

Describes the inability to remember as a temporary blockage of thought.

not be able to bring to mind

A very formal expression that emphasizes the difficulty in remembering.

slip my mind

Indicates that something was forgotten unintentionally or inadvertently.

escape my memory

Suggests that the information is trying to be remembered but cannot be accessed.

be at a loss for words

Expresses a temporary inability to speak or respond, which is semantically related to not being able to recall information.

FAQs

How can I use "draw a blank" in a sentence?

You can use "draw a blank" to indicate that you are unable to remember something. For example, "I tried to remember his name, but I "draw a blank"."

What does it mean to "draw a blank"?

To "draw a blank" means you are unable to recall something or produce a required piece of information. It suggests a temporary mental block.

Are there alternative phrases for "draw a blank"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "cannot recall", "cannot remember", or "fail to remember" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "draw a blank" in formal writing?

While "draw a blank" is widely understood, it is an informal idiom. In formal writing, consider using more direct alternatives such as "unable to recall" or "forget" to maintain a professional tone.