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=69d2fe6933aff5ffda4caf83a9ebace7e3309829&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

brainwave

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YnJhaW53YXZl&hash=e9902a85ae8e3eb327e190d05f8f76b124e04e26&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

brainchild

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YnJhaW5jaGlsZA&hash=66d17c61357d66ef2d89cb74411dd90f46370e72&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

brainwashed

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YnJhaW53YXNoZWQ&hash=ab8a55c2d6530a108fadd74a0e683195045311f4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

scatterbrained

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c2NhdHRlcmJyYWluZWQ&hash=f7a7c6446df7387a8f72da0021fd69915c59a9d3&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

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=6c1d03ca35a8ad48a404df2ff3dbc38384435cb4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to accomplish

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYWNjb21wbGlzaA&hash=af9040b4395dc0523c785aedf8d6e3c7a6aca095&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to pull off

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcHVsbCBvZmY&hash=a198c6e36a0c448ef0ae4e06c4f2cb92aefb0ed3&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to conquer

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29ucXVlcg&hash=0ab7a3d5d48690b4524bd3efb467e6d52ebe3b28&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to get over

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZ2V0IG92ZXI&hash=cd78e9d6d6b4a659e1c7323fe442aa2eb879ff0c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to install

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaW5zdGFsbA&hash=6dff4d8ecb0d10f943e54085ca7898bc77f237cb&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to set up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2V0IHVw&hash=1ba3c9bd4d39005d9e854d54faad732c7d9555b4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

makeover

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=bWFrZW92ZXI&hash=4982ce00e4b59b70f2be0511caad3f5d7309d670&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to recite

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVjaXRl&hash=962b0f2853e5a7710216d82f78fd31f2b101a22c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to reel off

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVlbCBvZmY&hash=39220a6b93612a48d7f1e8181948b63fa786122f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to ascertain

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYXNjZXJ0YWlu&hash=5eea9d3dc2235a004795231fc2958b0a6c04b6c2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to find out

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZmluZCBvdXQ&hash=a71abff348a6fc7f2541c13374bc408b2343c3e0&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to conduct

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29uZHVjdA&hash=730850f5e6768d08bba14c93e6e1dc1f3543a993&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to carry out

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY2Fycnkgb3V0&hash=da31f9533d6e90b03bfa2d49c22d51e96e805346&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to transmit

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdHJhbnNtaXQ&hash=1783a97fd8ac9e160851e9669a41065ab0023fcb&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to pass on

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGFzcyBvbg&hash=854140c103d49c989d8f5745618b3de24033d640&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to take over

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdGFrZSBvdmVy&hash=788243214d8626a5dac8f32d77d3c1b18adeb7b4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to collaborate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29sbGFib3JhdGU&hash=e7d7708878fb76bca08d0546013a1a7b6f410113&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to team up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdGVhbSB1cA&hash=66d3f406b014b9ed49137221a8d7e74e0912d176&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to impede

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaW1wZWRl&hash=0f5934486d9327b94f52bdb960f65072c29c799a&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

hold up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=aG9sZCB1cA&hash=208b92868176af710747ad520ef5933313588b0d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to discern

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZGlzY2Vybg&hash=eac9879a230e158eae51c843b64bf2707f807f83&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to make out

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbWFrZSBvdXQ&hash=e8077b23fa258978778a1c5c35148517cb02951c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to attribute to

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYXR0cmlidXRlIHRv&hash=a95d8318480659bd4378f6f1e0846a30491ba0bc&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to pin on

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcGluIG9u&hash=8e0cfc795a595ab5037607026683fbdffd30bea5&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to cease

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY2Vhc2U&hash=a52103fdfecc0649d4c5887a14ba3a9df3bd84a5&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to give up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZ2l2ZSB1cA&hash=c2c75a2eb24800e87bd7ce74852cf1266ff29e4f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to reflect

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVmbGVjdA&hash=d4e32ef1c670e5b6c8bd104729b8880b0d4eedad&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to remember

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVtZW1iZXI&hash=d9d4dd4dbd9129756ed8374ed1c911b01a6bad62&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to remind

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVtaW5k&hash=415ae765d589bc31de7f8c7df4255d3e763580d2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to reminisce

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVtaW5pc2Nl&hash=28e6fa534848841d85d4c9ace56577c6b9f679a9&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to memorize

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbWVtb3JpemU&hash=38fa871d287c82e8ccb8ff6d4323c5adeef3f11a&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to commemorate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29tbWVtb3JhdGU&hash=8e95238971b8bfae097fb3b6f8a946cbbc66997c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to recollect

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcmVjb2xsZWN0&hash=ab6690068d5f6a1729bd45826fbeaa62098bd016&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

brain

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YnJhaW4&hash=1312d69d14fc8c10bdfcab4be42294387372f7f4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

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

Vocabulaire de l'Unité 4 - 4A d'Insight Advanced