30 Idioms for Memory

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.

30 idioms for memory

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

IdiomMeaningExample Sentence
In the blink of an eyeHappening very quicklyThe years flew by in the blink of an eye.
A photographic memoryRemembering with great accuracy and detailShe has a photographic memory.
Memory laneNostalgic journey into one’s pastStrolling down memory lane, we rediscovered simpler times.
Out of mind, out of sightEasily forgotten or ignoredThe trivial argument was out of mind, out of sight.
Burn into memoryRemembered vividly or permanentlyThe sunset was a moment that burned into my memory.
Jog your memoryHelp someone remember somethingA familiar scent can jog your memory.
Slip one’s mindForget somethingIt completely slipped my mind to buy groceries.
Like a steel trapExceptionally sharp or retentive memoryHis mind was like a steel trap, capturing every detail.
Bear in mindRemember or considerBear in mind the importance of taking breaks.
Refresh one’s memoryRemind someone of something forgottenLet me refresh your memory about the trip.
Commit to memoryMemorize or remember somethingStudents are advised to commit key concepts to memory.
A memory like an elephantExceptional ability to remember thingsHer memory was like an elephant’s, never forgetting.
In the back of one’s mindRemembered but not at the forefrontThe promise lingered in the back of my mind.
Draw a blankUnable to recall or remember somethingWhen asked, he drew a blank, unable to remember.
Make a mental noteConsciously decide to remember somethingI’ll make a mental note to buy groceries.
Lost in the mists of timeAncient or unclear due to ageThe tradition’s origin was lost in the mists of time.
Etched in one’s memoryFirmly imprinted in memoryThe gesture was etched in my memory, a reminder of kindness.
Go down memory laneReminisce about the pastOld friends gathered to go down memory lane.
Leave a lasting impressionRemembered for a long timeHer performance left a lasting impression on the audience.
In the recesses of the mindStored or hidden deep within thoughtsChildhood trauma remained in the recesses of his mind.
Memory like a sievePoor memory, easily forgettingAfter the accident, his memory became like a sieve.
From memoryRecalling information without looking it upReciting the poem from memory, he impressed everyone.
By heartKnowing something completely and perfectlyShe learned the song by heart, singing every note.
Ingrained in memoryDeeply embedded or fixed in memoryThe anthem was ingrained in the collective memory.
Ring a bellSound familiar or remind someone of somethingThe name didn’t ring a bell; I struggled to remember.
Selective memoryRemembering only certain thingsHis selective memory omitted mention of his own mistakes.
Recollection escapes meUnable to remember or recall somethingI apologize, but the recollection escapes me at the moment.
Faint memoryMemory not clear or vividThe incident was a faint memory, obscured by time.
Memory bankStorage of memories in one’s mindExperiences are deposited in the memory bank, shaping us.
Green in memoryInexperienced or new in one’s memoryThe 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.

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