RACKS BRAINS Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "racks brains" is an idiomatic expression that means to exert considerable mental effort or strain in order to recall or think through a particular problem or situation. The term "rack" in this context refers to an instrument of torture, typically associated with the medieval period, consisting of a framework used to stretch or extend a person's body in order to inflict anguish or pain.
In contemporary usage, "racks brains" carries a metaphorical connotation, suggesting a similar level of difficulty in mentally grappling with a challenging issue. When someone is said to be "racking their brains," it implies that they are intensely concentrating and applying maximum cognitive effort to try and remember, solve, or comprehend something that is perplexing or elusive.
The phrase often denotes a state of mental strain or frustration, as the person grapples with their own limitations or the complexities of the problem at hand. It implies a vigorous and dedicated mental exercise in which one methodically explores all possibilities, turns over various ideas, or exhausts all available mental resources in the pursuit of finding a solution, answer, or understanding.
To summarize, "racks brains" refers to the process of straining and intensely focusing one's mental faculties in an attempt to solve or grasp challenging problems or situations that require significant mental effort and concentration.
Common Misspellings for RACKS BRAINS
Etymology of RACKS BRAINS
The phrase "rack one's brains" is an idiomatic expression meaning to think very hard or to exert great effort in order to recall or solve something. The term "rack" in this context is derived from the Middle English "rakken", which means "to stretch or strain". The word "rack" can be traced back to the Old English "hræc" or "hræcc", which referred to a framework used for torture or punishment. It is from this sense of stretching or straining that the phrase "rack one's brains" emerged, implying the mental exertion involved in searching one's memory or intellect for an answer or solution.
