Draw a blank Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɹɔ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈbɫæŋk
DRAW-uh-BLANK
dɹˈɔː/ /æɪ/ /blˈæŋk
DRAW-uh-BLANK
Definition
To be unable to remember or think of something at a needed moment; your mind goes completely empty.
Usage & Nuances
Informal idiom, commonly used when you can't remember names, facts, or answers. Used for both sudden memory loss and creative block. Don't use literally; it's not about drawing or blanks on paper.
Spanish: quedarse en blancoPortuguese (BR): dar branco - ficar em brancoPortuguese (PT): dar branco - ficar em brancoChinese (Simplified): 脑袋一片空白 - 想不起来Chinese (Traditional): 腦袋一片空白 - 想不起來Hindi: कुछ याद नहीं आनाArabic: لم يخطر ببالي شيء - لم أتمكن من التذكرBengali: কিছু মনে করতে না পারা - মাথা খালি হয়ে যাওয়াRussian: ничего не вспомнить - в голове пустоJapanese: 何も思い出せない - 頭が真っ白になるVietnamese: không nhớ ra gì - đầu óc trống rỗngKorean: 아무것도 생각나지 않다 - 머리가 하얘지다Turkish: hiçbir şey hatırlamamak - aklına gelmemekUrdu: کچھ یاد نہ آنا - دماغ خالی ہوجاناIndonesian: tidak ingat apa-apa - pikiran kosong
Example Sentences
When the teacher asked my name, I drew a blank.
basic
I tried to remember the answer, but I drew a blank.
basic
Every time I see her, I draw a blank on her name.
basic
I was about to introduce him, but totally drew a blank.
natural
Ask me what I had for dinner last night and I’ll probably draw a blank.
natural
Whenever I try to think of creative ideas, I draw a blank.
natural