The origin of the idiom "pick one's brain" likely draws on the metaphorical idea of the human brain as a valuable resource containing knowledge and insights. The word "pick" in this context suggests the act of selectively extracting or gathering information, similar to picking individual items from a collection. Over the years, the phrase has become a widely recognized phrase that is used to describe the act of seeking advice, information, or expertise from someone by engaging in a conversation or discussion.

What is the origin of the idiom "pick one's brain" and when to use it?

to [pick] {one's} [brain]

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGljayBvbmUncyBicmFpbg&hash=1105fb70bd5af887333911a861eff4bb2825a38c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

brainwave

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YnJhaW53YXZl&hash=c52c5fb80efb6bb3921a1f82dd9b4268d7f1834e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

brainchild

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YnJhaW5jaGlsZA&hash=a29a0b3ec9980aab1e86dd903c77afe991ea4b47&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

brainwashed

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YnJhaW53YXNoZWQ&hash=b677308b122708e4a3f43158f8b4c5e96ebddd4c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

scatterbrained

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c2NhdHRlcmJyYWluZWQ&hash=46a5bc408063030de8cc28278b46ae77391fb3de&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

A brain-teaser is a type of puzzle or problem that challenges a person's thinking and problem-solving skills. These puzzles are designed to be tricky and require careful thought or creativity to solve. Brain-teasers can include riddles, logic puzzles, or games that require figuring out patterns or using unusual approaches. They are often used to exercise the mind, improve focus, and encourage critical thinking. People enjoy brain-teasers as a fun way to stimulate their mental abilities and test their reasoning skills.

What is a "brain-teaser"?

brain-teaser

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The origin of the idiom "rack one's brain" is believed to be derived from the medieval torture device known as the "rack." The rack was a mechanical contraption used to stretch or torture individuals by applying extreme tension to their bodies. The phrase represents the mental strain and anguish that one experiences when trying to recall or solve something difficult, similar to the physical agony inflicted by the rack. It is commonly used when someone is faced with a challenging problem, a difficult riddle, or the need to recall specific information from memory.

What is the origin of the idiom "rack one's brain" and when to use it?

to [rack] {one's} [brain]

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmFjayBvbmUncyBicmFpbg&hash=b5a35371dcbc23078a0d2740932e98307159c064&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to accomplish

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYWNjb21wbGlzaA&hash=25d1a31604ac9ed288b81698e397c3f4b899c23d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to pull off

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcHVsbCBvZmY&hash=7cc7461d59359a3921e4aa46e3a8f559d9a1becd&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to conquer

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29ucXVlcg&hash=7d7058609fd0adc918b47a6d4edf5019182aab04&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to get over

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZ2V0IG92ZXI&hash=081c3e563f7b5b38f56e3c1ba6a4bb9097577309&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to install

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaW5zdGFsbA&hash=144c384399402a4eb13b1542f516da8e8b86d522&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to set up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2V0IHVw&hash=0561fc9eadd3f87d879380aa9f4118508c913cfc&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

makeover

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=bWFrZW92ZXI&hash=1b873ef92d25f706296aa93797f93c8823458412&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to recite

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVjaXRl&hash=7f0164c9c89bbbf0ae492b4f4387bde5fb8bd0cd&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to reel off

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVlbCBvZmY&hash=1ffccd6d9b06e63c1db7b64b3070d643ce14ab97&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to ascertain

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYXNjZXJ0YWlu&hash=44ae2abdaea1543f9213e71cc9b6993c77767954&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to find out

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZmluZCBvdXQ&hash=4c9751c53edd4b707181c521c2017d3d3da3ea3e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to conduct

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29uZHVjdA&hash=6d8464ab01d94c4f06ee6a6c7a81c291617ff944&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to carry out

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY2Fycnkgb3V0&hash=009c61682e320f62d19edfe7f6c0c3deda6af4e6&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to transmit

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdHJhbnNtaXQ&hash=31eded1391833e6e1bc351ce9524104d70e0b755&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to pass on

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGFzcyBvbg&hash=01b7e7a0aad611c9c833e951d86d42b1b758a72d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to take over

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdGFrZSBvdmVy&hash=6f6b83f6e00c91653c4481487533ad299cdd11d1&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to collaborate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29sbGFib3JhdGU&hash=edfa5ab86dbc1bdd31445d2d6087905953da6653&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to team up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdGVhbSB1cA&hash=548f7088ff2b2cdcfcd72489aa13b0ef8e2cb209&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to impede

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaW1wZWRl&hash=05dcc5d4ff946065cd5767cd157c71fc6f605cb2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

hold up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=aG9sZCB1cA&hash=38eb04d44ab342f85a2efd8f1e2f8a696e8f00a2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to discern

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZGlzY2Vybg&hash=04f12435c756217de5ee95522edabadc767a6091&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to make out

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbWFrZSBvdXQ&hash=52933ccb5324994b99345e833bb098a4af03e677&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to attribute to

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYXR0cmlidXRlIHRv&hash=3498095359bdba4de6b98ef4f93a2941e003b202&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to pin on

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGluIG9u&hash=6fa9f36d90c7dfbad3fad9561e2dd9bc8766e399&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to cease

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY2Vhc2U&hash=eb45bdcbd4ebe1e4cb2db489185a4b7df0678804&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to give up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZ2l2ZSB1cA&hash=be95f9b563ee1e6f8551cd6f2797559a4ef11af1&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to reflect

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVmbGVjdA&hash=e3c2a16bb91066db50f069b2e837664530aaad5b&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to remember

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVtZW1iZXI&hash=9ae232fe466579f9881a6ced4b82dddcf01d73a8&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to remind

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVtaW5k&hash=6ed173a1cb4005d21608cf9cd034f282dfa3b458&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to reminisce

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVtaW5pc2Nl&hash=61d27cf1bd6f4b39faff7dc2043e9f542e15aa28&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to memorize

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbWVtb3JpemU&hash=41b707ff8d919b994d39ae9de5f786a51f841610&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to commemorate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29tbWVtb3JhdGU&hash=a17d05f0661cfa31dc9a9a468c31dfda7ad1a653&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to recollect

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVjb2xsZWN0&hash=24bd0f90d105788ddff1e2a4814e96ef277fe6d5&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

brain

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YnJhaW4&hash=f16f66117a8d3892cd41fa2e48be1dd0d4c56be8&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

Here you will find the vocabulary from Unit 4 - 4A in the Insight Advanced coursebook, such as "reminisce", "scatterbrained", "reel off", etc.

Vocabulario de la Unidad 4 - 4A de Insight Advanced