Idiom meaning, usage examples, facts

1. Charles drew a blank when he tried to remember the date of his wedding anniversary. He had to ask his wife when it was.
2. Andrea always draws a blank when she runs into people she doesn’t know very well. She’s never quite sure she has met them before.

Used at least since the 16th century, this idiom originally referred to lottery tickets. One who drew a blank had a ticket worth nothing.