rack brains

rack (one's) brain(s)

To struggle to recall or think of something. I've been racking my brain, but I still can't remember what Lydia's husband's name is. He racked his brains all weekend trying to think of a solution to the problem.

See also: rack

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

rack (one's) brains

/brain

To try hard to remember or think of something.

See also: brain, rack

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.