PhrasesHub

racked their brains

    Definitions

      • struggle to find a solution or answer
        To put in a lot of effort to think of an answer or solution to a problem or question

      • exhaust mental resources
        To be mentally drained from trying to come up with ideas or solutions

    Examples of racked their brains

    • The detective spent hours racking his brain, trying to piece together the clues and solve the case.

      The idiom "racked their brains" means to think very hard and deeply about something in order to understand it or remember it. In the example provided, the detective was putting a lot of effort into solving the case and was using all his mental resources to find a solution. The phrase "racked his brain" is a figure of speech that suggests the intensity of his thought process.

    • The detectives racked their brains trying to solve the elaborate murder mystery.

      The phrase "racked their brains" is used when someone is making a great effort to remember something or figure out a solution to a problem. In this example, the detectives are experiencing difficulty in solving the murder mystery and are therefore putting a lot of mental effort into the task, which is represented by the phrase "racked their brains." ANOTHER

    • The students racked their brains preparing for the final exam.

      Studying for an exam can be a mentally taxing experience, and the phrase "racked their brains" is often used to describe the intense concentration and effort required to learn and memorize a large amount of information. THIRD

    • The writer racked her brains trying to come up with a creative title for her book.

      Sometimes, coming up with a title for a book or a project can be a challenging task, and the author may put in a lot of mental effort to find the right name. The phrase "racked her brains" in this example is used to convey the writer's intense focus and concentration in finding the right title.

    • The detective racked his brains, trying to decipher the cryptic message left on the crime scene.

      The idiom "racked their brains" is used when someone is trying very hard to remember something, think of a solution, or solve a problem. In this example, the detective is searching his memory deeply to figure out the meaning of the message.

    • Sarah racked her brains, but she still couldn't recall the name of the actor she saw in that movie last week.

      Here, Sarah is struggling to remember the name of the actor she watched in a movie. The idiom "racked their brains" implies that the person is putting in a lot of mental effort to recall something from their memory.

    • The students racked their brains, hoping to find some clues in the confusing textbook.

      This example shows that the students are trying to understand a confusing textbook by thinking very hard, hoping to find some meaning. The idiom illustrates the intense mental effort required to solve a difficult problem or understand something complex.

    • Mark racked his brains, searching for the perfect gift for his wife's birthday.

      In this example, Mark is working hard to think of a gift for his wife's birthday, using the idiom "racked their brains." This idiom implies that the person is putting in a lot of effort to come up with an idea or solve a problem, often referring to a challenging or difficult situation.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "racked their brains" is used to describe the act of putting in a lot of effort to think of a solution or answer to a problem. It can also convey the idea of being mentally exhausted from trying to come up with ideas. The phrase is often used to emphasize the difficulty or complexity of a situation that requires intense mental focus.

    When someone is said to have "racked their brains," it suggests that they have tried everything they can think of to solve a problem or find an answer. It highlights the sense of frustration and exhaustion that can come from mental exertion. This idiom is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to convey the idea of struggling to come up with a solution or answer.

    Origin of "racked their brains"

    The origin of the idiom "racked their brains" can be traced back to the late 16th century when the word "rack" was used to refer to an instrument of torture that stretched a person's body. This intense physical pain was later metaphorically applied to mental strain, giving rise to the phrase "rack one's brains." Over time, the word "rack" evolved to "wrack," and the idiom "wrack one's brains" became more commonly used.

    The idiom has persisted through the centuries and continues to be used today to convey the idea of intense mental effort or exhaustion. The imagery of stretching or straining one's brain to its limits remains a powerful metaphor for the mental exertion required to solve difficult problems. The idiom "racked their brains" serves as a vivid expression of the challenges and frustrations of grappling with complex issues that require deep thought and concentration.