Memory is a fascinating aspect of human cognition, and English is rich with idioms and phrasal verbs that describe different aspects of it. Here are 20 expressions about memory, each with a brief meaning and an example sentence to help you understand and use them.
Expressions About Memory
1. To jog someone’s memory
Meaning: To remind someone
Example: That photo jogged my memory of our trip.
2. To have a memory like a sieve
Meaning: To have a bad memory
Example: He has a memory like a sieve; he forgets everything.
3. To refresh someone’s memory
Meaning: To help someone remember
Example: She refreshed my memory about the meeting details.
4. To commit something to memory
Meaning: To memorize
Example: I committed all the facts to memory.
5. To lose one’s train of thought
Meaning: To forget what one was saying
Example: I lost my train of thought during the presentation.
6. To have a photographic memory
Meaning: To remember things in detail
Example: She has a photographic memory for faces.
7. To ring a bell
Meaning: To sound familiar
Example: That name rings a bell, but I can’t place it.
8. To bring back memories
Meaning: To cause memories to return
Example: That song brings back memories of my childhood.
9. To be etched in memory
Meaning: To be unforgettable
Example: That day is etched in my memory forever.
10. To have a memory lapse
Meaning: To forget temporarily
Example: I had a memory lapse and forgot his name.
11. To put something out of one’s mind
Meaning: To try to forget something
Example: I put the bad experience out of my mind.
12. To be stuck in one’s mind
Meaning: To be unable to forget
Example: That tune is stuck in my mind.
13. To take a trip down memory lane
Meaning: To recall past experiences
Example: We took a trip down memory lane last night.
14. To slip one’s mind
Meaning: To be forgotten
Example: I was supposed to call her, but it slipped my mind.
15. To bear in mind
Meaning: To remember or consider
Example: Bear in mind that it’s a holiday tomorrow.
16. To keep something in mind
Meaning: To remember something
Example: Keep in mind that it might rain today.
17. To have a mind like a steel trap
Meaning: To have a sharp memory
Example: She has a mind like a steel trap.
18. To remember something like it was yesterday
Meaning: To recall something vividly
Example: I remember our first meeting like it was yesterday.
19. To blank out
Meaning: To forget suddenly
Example: I blanked out during the test.
20. To dredge up
Meaning: To recall with effort
Example: I dredged up old memories from high school.
