Memories are the building blocks of our existence, shaping the narratives of our lives. As we traverse the intricate landscape of recollections, we often stumble upon peculiar phrases that encapsulate the essence of memory.
In this journey through the whimsical world of idioms, we’ll unravel the intriguing stories behind expressions like “In the blink of an eye” and “Memory like a sieve.” So, buckle up as we embark on a linguistic adventure that delves into the depths of our minds.

Idioms for Memory
In the Blink of an Eye
Meaning: To happen very quickly or in an extremely short amount of time.
In a Sentence: The years flew by in the blink of an eye, and suddenly, we were all grown up.
A Photographic Memory
Meaning: The ability to remember things with great accuracy and detail.
In a Sentence: She has a photographic memory, effortlessly recalling every detail from that day.
Memory Lane
Meaning: A nostalgic journey into one’s past.
In a Sentence: Strolling down memory lane, we rediscovered the joy of simpler times.
Out of Mind, Out of Sight
Meaning: Something easily forgotten or ignored.
In a Sentence: The trivial argument was out of mind, out of sight by the next morning.
Burn into Memory
Meaning: To be remembered vividly or permanently.
In a Sentence: The breathtaking sunset over the ocean was a moment that burned into my memory.
Jog Your Memory
Meaning: To help someone remember something.
In a Sentence: A familiar scent can often jog your memory and transport you to another time.
Slip One’s Mind
Meaning: To forget something.
In a Sentence: It completely slipped my mind to buy groceries on the way home.
Like a Steel Trap
Meaning: Having an exceptionally sharp or retentive memory.
In a Sentence: His mind was like a steel trap, capturing every detail of the crime scene.
Bear in Mind
Meaning: To remember or consider.
In a Sentence: When planning your schedule, bear in mind the importance of taking breaks.
Refresh One’s Memory
Meaning: To remind someone of something they have forgotten.
In a Sentence: Let me refresh your memory about the details of our upcoming trip.
Commit to Memory
Meaning: To memorize or remember something.
In a Sentence: Students are often advised to commit key concepts to memory before exams.
A Memory Like an Elephant
Meaning: An exceptional ability to remember things.
In a Sentence: Her memory was like an elephant’s, never forgetting even the smallest details.
In the Back of One’s Mind
Meaning: Something is not at the forefront of one’s thoughts but is still remembered.
In a Sentence: The promise to visit lingered in the back of my mind, unfulfilled yet not forgotten.
Draw a Blank
Meaning: To be unable to recall or remember something.
In a Sentence: When asked about the details, he drew a blank, unable to remember anything.
Make a Mental Note
Meaning: To consciously decide to remember something.
In a Sentence: I’ll make a mental note to pick up some groceries on the way home.
Lost in the Mists of Time
Meaning: Something is so old or ancient that its details are unclear or forgotten.
In a Sentence: The origin of the tradition was lost in the mists of time, shrouded in mystery.
Etched in One’s Memory
Meaning: Something is firmly imprinted or engraved in one’s memory.
In a Sentence: The heartfelt gesture was etched in my memory, a reminder of kindness.
Go Down Memory Lane
Meaning: To reminisce about the past.
In a Sentence: Old friends gathered to go down memory lane, reliving their school days.
Leave a Lasting Impression
Meaning: To be remembered for a long time.
In a Sentence: Her captivating performance left a lasting impression on the audience.
In the Recesses of the Mind
Meaning: Something is stored or hidden deep within one’s thoughts.
In a Sentence: The childhood trauma remained in the recesses of his mind, influencing his actions.
Memory Like a Sieve
Meaning: Having a poor memory, easily forgetting things.
In a Sentence: After the accident, his memory became like a sieve, letting details slip away.
From Memory
Meaning: Recalling information without looking it up.
In a Sentence: He recited the poem from memory, impressing everyone with his eloquence.
By Heart
Meaning: To know something completely and perfectly.
In a Sentence: She learned the song by heart, singing every note with precision.
Ingrained in Memory
Meaning: Deeply embedded or fixed in one’s memory.
In a Sentence: The national anthem was ingrained in the collective memory of the citizens.
Ring a Bell
Meaning: To sound familiar or remind someone of something.
In a Sentence: The name didn’t ring a bell, and I struggled to place where I had heard it before.
Selective Memory
Meaning: Remembering only certain things while forgetting others.
In a Sentence: His selective memory conveniently omitted any mention of his own mistakes.
Recollection Escapes Me
Meaning: Unable to remember or recall something.
In a Sentence: I apologize, but the recollection of that event escapes me at the moment.
Faint Memory
Meaning: A memory that is not clear or vivid.
In a Sentence: The incident was a faint memory, obscured by the passage of time.
Memory Bank
Meaning: The storage of memories in one’s mind.
In a Sentence: Our experiences are deposited in the memory bank, shaping who we are.
Green in Memory
Meaning: Inexperienced or new in one’s memory.
In a Sentence: The details were still green in my memory, having happened just yesterday.
Summary
Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
In the blink of an eye | Happening very quickly | The years flew by in the blink of an eye. |
A photographic memory | Remembering with great accuracy and detail | She has a photographic memory. |
Memory lane | Nostalgic journey into one’s past | Strolling down memory lane, we rediscovered simpler times. |
Out of mind, out of sight | Easily forgotten or ignored | The trivial argument was out of mind, out of sight. |
Burn into memory | Remembered vividly or permanently | The sunset was a moment that burned into my memory. |
Jog your memory | Help someone remember something | A familiar scent can jog your memory. |
Slip one’s mind | Forget something | It completely slipped my mind to buy groceries. |
Like a steel trap | Exceptionally sharp or retentive memory | His mind was like a steel trap, capturing every detail. |
Bear in mind | Remember or consider | Bear in mind the importance of taking breaks. |
Refresh one’s memory | Remind someone of something forgotten | Let me refresh your memory about the trip. |
Commit to memory | Memorize or remember something | Students are advised to commit key concepts to memory. |
A memory like an elephant | Exceptional ability to remember things | Her memory was like an elephant’s, never forgetting. |
In the back of one’s mind | Remembered but not at the forefront | The promise lingered in the back of my mind. |
Draw a blank | Unable to recall or remember something | When asked, he drew a blank, unable to remember. |
Make a mental note | Consciously decide to remember something | I’ll make a mental note to buy groceries. |
Lost in the mists of time | Ancient or unclear due to age | The tradition’s origin was lost in the mists of time. |
Etched in one’s memory | Firmly imprinted in memory | The gesture was etched in my memory, a reminder of kindness. |
Go down memory lane | Reminisce about the past | Old friends gathered to go down memory lane. |
Leave a lasting impression | Remembered for a long time | Her performance left a lasting impression on the audience. |
In the recesses of the mind | Stored or hidden deep within thoughts | Childhood trauma remained in the recesses of his mind. |
Memory like a sieve | Poor memory, easily forgetting | After the accident, his memory became like a sieve. |
From memory | Recalling information without looking it up | Reciting the poem from memory, he impressed everyone. |
By heart | Knowing something completely and perfectly | She learned the song by heart, singing every note. |
Ingrained in memory | Deeply embedded or fixed in memory | The anthem was ingrained in the collective memory. |
Ring a bell | Sound familiar or remind someone of something | The name didn’t ring a bell; I struggled to remember. |
Selective memory | Remembering only certain things | His selective memory omitted mention of his own mistakes. |
Recollection escapes me | Unable to remember or recall something | I apologize, but the recollection escapes me at the moment. |
Faint memory | Memory not clear or vivid | The incident was a faint memory, obscured by time. |
Memory bank | Storage of memories in one’s mind | Experiences are deposited in the memory bank, shaping us. |
Green in memory | Inexperienced or new in one’s memory | The details were still green in my memory, from yesterday. |
Conclusion
As we wrap up this exploration of idioms for memory, it’s evident that language paints a vivid picture of our relationship with the past. From the swift passage of time “In the blink of an eye” to the enduring imprints “Etched in one’s memory,” these expressions capture the nuances of our recollections.