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draw a blank

 - 4 dictionary results

blank

[blangk] adjective, -er, -est, noun, verb
–adjective
1. (of paper or other writing surface) having no marks; not written or printed on: a blank sheet of paper.
2. not filled in, as a printed form: a blank check.
3. unrelieved or unbroken by ornament, opening, decoration, etc.: a blank wall.
4. lacking some usual or completing feature: a blank roll of film.
5. (of a recording medium) containing no previously recorded information: a blank videocassette; a blank floppy disk. Compare prerecorded.
6. void of interest, variety, results, etc.: She sometimes occupied her blank days reading detective stories.
7. showing no attention, interest, or emotion: a blank expression on his face.
8. disconcerted; nonplussed; speechless: He looked blank when I asked him why he applied for the job.
9. complete; utter; unmitigated: blank stupidity.
10. Archaic. white; pale; colorless.
–noun
11. a place where something is lacking; an empty space: a blank in one's memory.
12. a space in a printed form, test, etc., to be filled in: Write your name in the blank.
13. a printed form containing such spaces: Have you filled out one of these blanks?
14. a dash put in place of an omitted letter, series of letters, etc., esp. to avoid writing a word considered profane or obscene.
15. Metalworking. a piece of metal ready to be drawn, pressed, or machined into a finished object.
16. Archery. the bull's-eye.
17. the object toward which anything is directed; aim; target.
18. blank cartridge.
–verb (used with object)
19. to cross out or delete, esp. in order to invalidate or void (usually fol. by out): to blank out an entry.
20. Informal. to keep (an opponent) from scoring in a game.
21. Metalworking. to stamp or punch out of flat stock, as with a die.
22. draw a blank,
a. to fail in an attempt; be unsuccessful: We've drawn a blank in the investigation.
b. to fail to comprehend or be unable to recollect: He asked me their phone number and I drew a blank.

Origin:
1300–50; ME (n. and adj.) < AF, F blanc (adj.) < Gmc; cf. OE blanca white horse, OHG blanch bright, white


blankness, noun


1–4. See empty. 8. dumfounded, confused, astounded. 9. pure, simple, unadulterated; perfect, absolute, unqualified. 11. void, vacancy, emptiness; gap, lacuna, hiatus.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To draw a blank
draw   (drô)   
v.   drew (drōō), drawn (drôn), draw·ing, draws

v.   tr.
    1. To cause to move after or toward one by applying continuous force; drag: drew the chair closer to the table; a team of horses drawing a wagon. See Synonyms at pull.

    2. To cause to move in a given direction or to a given position, as by leading: The teacher drew the children into the room to see the decorations.

    3. To move or pull so as to cover or uncover something: draw the curtains.

    4. To extract or take for one's own use: draw strength from one's friends.

    5. To make (tea) by steeping.

    6. To cause to come by attracting; attract: afraid the casino will draw undesirable elements to the town.

    7. To select or take in from a given group, type, or region: draw clients from all levels of society.

    8. To withdraw (money).

    9. To use (a check, for example) when paying.

    10. To receive on a regular basis or at a specified time: draw a pension.

    11. To take (cards) from a dealer or central stack.

    12. To force (a card) to be played.

    13. To hit or strike (a billiard ball, for example) so as to give it backspin.

    14. To hit (a golf ball) with a draw.

    15. To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

    16. To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

    17. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

    18. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

    19. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

  1. To cause to flow forth: a pump drawing water; a blow that drew blood.

  2. To suck or take in (air, for example); inhale.

  3. To require (a specified depth of water) for floating: a boat drawing 18 inches.

  4. To take or pull out: drew a gun from beneath the counter; drew out a fat wallet.

    1. To extract or take for one's own use: draw strength from one's friends.

    2. To make (tea) by steeping.

    3. To cause to come by attracting; attract: afraid the casino will draw undesirable elements to the town.

    4. To select or take in from a given group, type, or region: draw clients from all levels of society.

    5. To withdraw (money).

    6. To use (a check, for example) when paying.

    7. To receive on a regular basis or at a specified time: draw a pension.

    8. To take (cards) from a dealer or central stack.

    9. To force (a card) to be played.

    10. To hit or strike (a billiard ball, for example) so as to give it backspin.

    11. To hit (a golf ball) with a draw.

    12. To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

    13. To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

    14. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

    15. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

    16. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

  5. To eviscerate; disembowel.

    1. To cause to come by attracting; attract: afraid the casino will draw undesirable elements to the town.

    2. To select or take in from a given group, type, or region: draw clients from all levels of society.

    3. To withdraw (money).

    4. To use (a check, for example) when paying.

    5. To receive on a regular basis or at a specified time: draw a pension.

    6. To take (cards) from a dealer or central stack.

    7. To force (a card) to be played.

    8. To hit or strike (a billiard ball, for example) so as to give it backspin.

    9. To hit (a golf ball) with a draw.

    10. To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

    11. To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

    12. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

    13. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

    14. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

  6. To bring to a certain condition or action; lead: drawn to despair; drew them to resign.

  7. To bring about deliberately; provoke: draw enemy fire; draw a penalty on an opponent.

  8. To evoke as a response; elicit: a performance that drew jeers from the audience.

  9. To earn; gain: deposits that draw interest at a rate of 5 percent.

    1. To withdraw (money).

    2. To use (a check, for example) when paying.

    3. To receive on a regular basis or at a specified time: draw a pension.

    4. To take (cards) from a dealer or central stack.

    5. To force (a card) to be played.

    6. To hit or strike (a billiard ball, for example) so as to give it backspin.

    7. To hit (a golf ball) with a draw.

    8. To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

    9. To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

    10. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

    11. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

    12. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

  10. To take or receive by chance: draw lots.

  11. Games

    1. To take (cards) from a dealer or central stack.

    2. To force (a card) to be played.

    3. To hit or strike (a billiard ball, for example) so as to give it backspin.

    4. To hit (a golf ball) with a draw.

    5. To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

    6. To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

    7. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

    8. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

    9. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

  12. To end or leave (a contest) tied or undecided.

  13. Sports

    1. To hit or strike (a billiard ball, for example) so as to give it backspin.

    2. To hit (a golf ball) with a draw.

    3. To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

    4. To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

    5. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

    6. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

    7. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

  14. To pull back the string of (a bow).

  15. To distort the shape of.

  16. To stretch taut.

    1. To flatten, stretch, or mold (metal) by hammering or die stamping.

    2. To shape or elongate (a wire, for example) by pulling through dies.

    3. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

    4. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

    5. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

    1. To inscribe (a line or lines) with a pencil or other marking implement.

    2. To make a likeness of on a surface, using mostly lines; depict with lines: drew a map of the area; drawing landscapes and still lifes.

    3. To portray in writing or speech; depict with words: draws moving scenes of ghetto life.

  17. To formulate or devise from evidence or data at hand: draw a comparison.

  18. To compose or write out in legal format: draw a deed.

v.   intr.
  1. To proceed or move steadily: a ship drawing near the shore.

  2. To attract customers or spectators: The new play is drawing well.

  3. To pour forth liquid: The patient's veins don't draw easily.

  4. To cause suppuration.

  5. To take in a draft of air: The flue isn't drawing.

  6. To steep in or as if in the manner of tea.

  7. To pull out a weapon for use.

  8. To use or call upon part of a fund or supply: drawing on an account; drew from the experience of fellow workers.

  9. To contract or tighten: material that draws when it dries.

  10. To conclude a contest without either side winning; tie: The chess players drew in 32 moves.

  11. To make a likeness with lines on a surface; sketch.

n.  
    1. An act of drawing.

    2. The result of drawing.

    3. The arrangement of competitors in a tournament in which the match-ups are made at random.

    4. A match-up or opponent in such a tournament.

    5. Games A draw shot.

    6. Sports A moderate, usually controlled hook in golf.

  1. Something drawn, especially a lot, card, or cards drawn at random.

  2. Sports & Games

    1. The arrangement of competitors in a tournament in which the match-ups are made at random.

    2. A match-up or opponent in such a tournament.

    3. Games A draw shot.

    4. Sports A moderate, usually controlled hook in golf.

  3. An inhalation, especially through a pipe or other smoking implement.

  4. One that attracts interest, customers, or spectators: a singer who is a popular draw.

  5. The movable part of a drawbridge.

  6. A special advantage; an edge: have the draw on one's enemies.

  7. A contest ending without either side winning.

  8. A small natural depression that water drains into; a shallow gully.

  9. Football A play in which the quarterback drops back as if to pass and then hands off to a running back.

  10. Sports A face-off.

    1. Games A draw shot.

    2. Sports A moderate, usually controlled hook in golf.

  11. To prolong; protract.

  12. To induce to speak freely: managed to draw the shy child out.

  13. To compose or write in a set form; write out: draw up a contract; draw up a list.

  14. To bring (troops, for example) into order.

  15. To bring or come to a halt.

  16. To bring (oneself) into an erect posture, often as an expression of dignity or indignation.

  17. Chiefly Southern U.S. To shrink when washed. Used of clothes.

Phrasal Verb(s):
draw awayTo move ahead of competitors.
draw backTo retreat.
draw downTo deplete by consuming or spending: drew down our food reserves.
draw onTo approach: as evening draws on.
draw out
  1. To prolong; protract.

  2. To induce to speak freely: managed to draw the shy child out.

draw up
  1. To compose or write in a set form; write out: draw up a contract; draw up a list.

  2. To bring (troops, for example) into order.

  3. To bring or come to a halt.

  4. To bring (oneself) into an erect posture, often as an expression of dignity or indignation.

  5. Chiefly Southern U.S. To shrink when washed. Used of clothes.


Idiom(s):
draw a blankTo fail to find or remember something.

Idiom(s):
draw and quarter
  1. To execute (a prisoner) by tying each limb to a horse and driving the horses in different directions.

  2. To disembowel and dismember after hanging.

  3. Informal To punish severely: The teenager was drawn and quartered for wrecking the family's only car.


Idiom(s):
draw strawsTo decide by a lottery with straws of unequal lengths.

Idiom(s):
draw the line
  1. To decide firmly an arbitrary boundary between two things: "Where do you draw the line between your own decisions and those of your superiors?" (Robert Marion).

  2. To decide firmly the limit of what one will tolerate or participate in: The officer committed fraud but drew the line at blackmail.


[Middle English drauen, from Old English dragan.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

blank 
1230, from O.Fr. blanc "white, shining," from Frank. *blank "white, gleaming," of W.Gmc. origin (cf. O.E. blanca "white horse"), from P.Gmc. *blangkaz, from PIE *bhleg- "to shine" (see bleach). Originally "colorless," meaning "having empty spaces" evolved c.1400. Sense of "void of expression" (a blank look) is from 1553. The noun in the sense of "empty space" (in a document, etc.) is from c.1570.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

draw a blank

Fail to find or remember something, as in He looks familiar but I've drawn a blank on his name. This expression alludes to drawing a lottery ticket with nothing on it (so one cannot win a prize). [Early 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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