memory (redirected from taking a walk down memory lane)

commit something to memory

to memorize something. Do we have to commit this poem to memory? The dress rehearsal of the play is tomorrow night. Please make sure you have committed all your lines to memory by that time.

See also: commit

enshrine someone in one's heart and enshrine someone's memory in one's heart

Fig. to keep the memory of someone in a special place in one's heart or mind. Bob enshrined Jill's memory in his heart.

See also: enshrine, heart

freeze someone or something in one's memory

Fig. to preserve the image of someone or something in one's memory. I tried to freeze her in my memory so I would have her with me always. I froze the scene in my memory.

See also: freeze

if my memory serves me correctly

Fig. if I have remembered it correctly... If my memory serves me correctly, you are the cousin of my closest friend.

See also: if, serve

in memory of someone

to continue the good memories of someone; for the honor of a deceased person. Many streets were renamed in memory of John F. Kennedy. We planted roses in memory of my deceased father.

in recent memory

Fig. the period of time in which things are still remembered and discussed. Never in recent memory has there been this much snow! I haven't been this happy in recent memory!

jog someone's memory

Fig. to stimulate someone's memory to recall something. Hearing the first part of the song I'd forgotten really jogged my memory. DI tried to jog Bill's memory about our childhood antics.

See also: jog

know something from memory

to have memorized something so that one does not have to consult a written version; to know something well from seeing it very often. (Almost the same as know something by heart.) Mary didn't need the script because she knew the play from memory. The conductor went through the entire concert without sheet music. He knew it from memory.

See also: know

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commit something to memory

to make yourself remember something I haven't got a pen to write down your phone number - I'll just have to commit it to memory.

See also: commit

have a memory like an elephant

to be very good at remembering things

Usage notes: Elephants are believed to have good memories.

'I remember where I first saw her - it was at Tim Fisher's party about ten years ago.' 'Yes, you're right - you've got a memory like an elephant!'

See also: elephant, have, like

have a memory/mind like a sieve

to be very bad at remembering things I've never known anyone so forgetful - she's got a memory like a sieve.

See also: have, like

in/within living memory

events or situations in living memory can be remembered by people who are alive now Areas of southern Italy are experiencing some of the worst storms in living memory. (= the worst storms that people can remember) Some of these houses still had outside toilets within living memory.

See also: living

jog your memory

to cause you to remember something Police are hoping to jog people's memory by showing them pictures of a car that was used in a robbery.

See also: jog

take a stroll/trip down memory lane

to remember some of the happy things that you did in the past We were just taking a stroll down memory lane and recalling the days of our youth.

See commit to memory, jog memory, have a memory like a sieve

See also: lane, stroll, take

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commit to memory something also commit something to memory

to study something in order to make yourself remember it If you want to learn a language well, you have to commit to memory long lists of vocabulary and grammatical rules. The boys read the holy book several times, committing it to memory.

See also: commit

down memory lane

in your memory of the pleasures of past events For older people, visiting the old-fashioned stores in the town was a trip down memory lane.

See also: lane

if memory serves

if I am remembering correctly If memory serves, there will be flags and parades for the Olympic opening ceremonies.

See also: if, serve

in living memory also within living memory

able to be remembered by people who are alive now Water levels on the Mississippi River haven't been this high in living memory.

See also: living

in memory of somebody also in somebody's memory

in order to honor someone who has died and to help people remember them A service was held in memory of the earthquake victims. Donations can be made to the Heart Association in Diane's memory.

jog your memory

to cause you to remember something I use the photos to remind me of what I've seen, to jog my memory.

See also: jog

refresh your memory

to help you to remember something McNamara has refreshed his memory by listening to a tape recording of the meeting.

Usage notes: often used by lawyers when asking questions in a trial: “Will this photograph I now show you refresh your memory?”

See also: refresh