racked one's brain
Strained to remember
To rack one's brain is to strain mentally, searching hard for a memory, solution, or idea: I racked my brain trying to remember where I'd left my keys.
The image is of the medieval torture device that stretched victims—here applied to intense mental effort.
Sometimes spelled "wracked," though "racked" is standard.
- ponderThink deeply about
- recallMemory retrieval act
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
- brainstormSpontaneous idea generation
- mental gymnasticsConvoluted reasoning to justify beliefs
think hard · remember · think back · deliberate · reminisce · mull over · troubleshoot · scratch one's head · recollect · contemplate · lost in thought · scrutinize · chew over · puzzled · perplexed · stressed · overwhelmed · analyze
mental engagement
racked one's braindrew a blank
Failed to remember
blanked out · zoned out · spaced out · let it go · daydreamed
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