draw blank
Come up empty
To draw a blank is to fail to find or remember something: I'm drawing a blank on her name.
The phrase comes from lotteries where drawing a blank ticket meant winning nothing.
Extended to any failed attempt at retrieval—of memories, information, or results: Police drew a blank in their search for witnesses.
- hesitatePause in uncertainty
- gapUnfilled space between
- voidWithout legal effect
- searchAct of seeking
- tip of tongueEdge of speech organ
lost for words · empty · come up empty · failure · no dice · frustration · bewilderment · lapse · forget · memory lapse · get lost · block · hit a wall · stumped · mental block · perplexity · pause · amnesia
draw blankrecall
Memory retrieval act
remember · total recall · recollect · bring to mind · call to mind
draw blankhit paydirt
Achieved sudden success
strike gold · find · hit the jackpot · score · uncover
draw blankhave it
Accept and keep
rattle off · come to mind · spring to mind · produce · conjure up
draw, blank, draws, drew, drawn, drawing, drawings, drawer, drawers