drawing a blank

USAGE SUMMARY

"drawing a blank" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe when someone cannot remember or come up with an answer. For example: I was trying to think of the title of the movie but I ended up drawing a blank.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I'm drawing a blank.

The New Yorker

Her mind was drawing a blank.

The New Yorker

"Oops," he said, drawing a blank.

The Economist

Sorry," he said, drawing a blank.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm drawing a blank," I confess.

The New Yorker

"T". Her mind was drawing a blank.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

He drew a blank.

The New Yorker

I drew a blank.

The New York Times

Mostly, he drew a blank.

The New Yorker

This drew a blank.

The New Yorker

We draw a blank.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drawing a blank" when you want to express a temporary inability to remember something or think of an appropriate response. It adds a touch of informality and relatability to your writing.

Common error

While "drawing a blank" is widely understood, it might not be suitable for very formal or professional documents. In such cases, opt for more formal alternatives like "cannot recall" or "unable to remember."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drawing a blank" functions as an idiomatic expression. It's used to describe the state of being unable to recall something or think of something, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drawing a blank" is a common idiom used to express a temporary inability to remember something or to think of an appropriate response. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "cannot recall". Predominantly featured in News & Media, according to Ludwig's analysis, the phrase offers a relatable way to describe a momentary mental lapse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mind is a blank

Indicates a complete lack of thought or memory, similar to "drawing a blank" but focuses on the current state of mind.

can't recall

A more direct way of saying you cannot remember something, lacking the idiomatic nuance of "drawing a blank".

memory fails me

Suggests a sudden and unexpected loss of memory, emphasizing the unreliability of memory.

come up empty

Implies an unsuccessful attempt to find something in your memory, similar to "drawing a blank" in its implication of effort.

can't think of

A simple expression for not being able to recall or imagine something, less colorful than "drawing a blank".

at a loss for words

Describes the inability to speak due to confusion or shock, differing from "drawing a blank" which focuses on memory.

lost my train of thought

Indicates an interruption in one's thinking process, leading to forgetfulness, which is related but not identical to "drawing a blank".

brain freeze

An informal term for a sudden inability to think clearly, often due to stress or pressure.

forgotten completely

A direct statement of having no memory of something, lacking the nuance and potential temporary nature of "drawing a blank".

slips my mind

Suggests the information was once known but is currently forgotten, highlighting the passive nature of forgetting.

FAQs

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

You can use "drawing a blank" to indicate a temporary inability to recall something. For example, "I was trying to remember her name, but I was "drawing a blank"."

What's a more formal alternative to "drawing a blank"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "cannot recall", "unable to remember", or "memory fails me" instead of "drawing a blank".

Is "drawing a blank" grammatically correct?

Yes, "drawing a blank" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiomatic phrase in English.

What does "drawing a blank" mean?

"Drawing a blank" means being temporarily unable to remember something or think of an answer or response. It suggests a mental block or temporary memory lapse.