
IdiomDaily Life
English
draw a blank
Meaning: To get no result; or to be unable to remember something.
Example: “I tried to remember his name, but I drew a blank.”
Equivalents in other languages
French: Faire chou blanc Literally: To make a white cabbage
Origin: Used at least since the 16th century, this idiom originally referred to lottery tickets. One who drew a blank had a ticket worth nothing.
More English idioms
- eleventh hour Late or last-minute.
- eternal triangle A situation in which two men love the same woman or two women love the same man.
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- fair and square Honest(ly).
- give someone a fair shake To give someone or something a chance to prove itself.
- fair to middling Average; neither good nor bad.
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