Phrase guide

draw a blank

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To be unable to recall a required piece of information.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I should know that person's name, but I'm drawing a blank.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

be unable to remember

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I'm drawing a blank
  • You are blocking the name of your first wife!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: forget, block, blank out

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: slip, slip one's mind

History

Etymology

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

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ei tulla mieleen — being unable to recall a piece of information
  • French: avoir un trou de mémoire — being unable to recall a piece of information
  • Polish: mieć pustkę w głowie — being unable to recall a piece of information
  • Portuguese: dar um branco — being unable to recall a piece of information
  • Spanish: quedar en blanco — being unable to recall a piece of information
  • Spanish: tener la mente en blanco — being unable to recall a piece of information
  • Spanish: quedarse en blanco — being unable to recall a piece of information
  • Spanish: no ocurrirse nada — being unable to recall a piece of information
  • Finnish: vetää vesiperä — idiomatic: to fail
  • Polish: nie znaleźć rozwiązania — idiomatic: to fail