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memory
long memory
A clear memory of events that happened long ago. My grandma has a long memory of her childhood in Russia. It's astonishing hearing how things were when she was young! I always have a long memory for people who disrespect me. Once you're in my bad books, you're there forever!
have a long memory
To have a clear memory of events that happened long ago. My grandma has a long memory of her childhood in Russia. It's astonishing hearing how things were when she was young! I always have a long memory for people who disrespect me. Once you're in my bad books, you're there forever!
memory lane
A set or series of memories of one's past life, likened to a roadway that one may visit or take a tour of. (Used primarily in the phrase "stroll/take a trip/walk etc. down memory lane.") My grandmother spends more time strolling down memory lane these days than conversing about the present. It was lovely finding our old photo albums and taking a trip down memory lane. To be quite honest, it's growing quite dull doing nothing but re-visiting memory lane when I get together with my high school friends.
stroll down memory lane
To reminisce over memories of past events, especially happy ones. My grandmother spends more time strolling down memory lane these days than talking about the present. Sarah: "How did your coffee date with John go?" Amy: "It was pretty amicable, actually. We strolled down memory lane for a while, and then we went our separate ways."
walk down memory lane
To reminisce over memories of past events, especially happy ones. My grandmother spends more time walking down memory lane these days than talking about the present. Sarah: "How did your coffee date with John go?" Amy: "It was pretty amicable, actually. We walked down memory lane for a while, and then we went our separate ways."
take a trip down memory lane
To reminisce over memories of past events, especially happy ones. My grandmother spends more time taking trips down memory lane these days than talking about the present. Sarah: "How did your coffee date with John go?" Amy: "It was pretty amicable, actually. We took a trip down memory lane for a while, and then we went our separate ways."
take a walk down memory lane
To reminisce over memories of past events, especially happy ones. My grandmother spends more time taking walks down memory lane these days than talking about the present. Sarah: "How did your coffee date with John go?" Amy: "It was pretty amicable, actually. We took a walk down memory lane for a while, and then we went our separate ways."
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.
enshrine someone in one's heart
and enshrine someone's memory in one's heartFig. to keep the memory of someone in a special place in one's heart or mind. Bob enshrined Jill's memory in his 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
if memory serves
if I am remembering correctly If memory serves, there will be flags and parades for the Olympic opening ceremonies.
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.
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: a€?Will this photograph I now show you refresh your memory?a€?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!' 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 sievehave 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.
commit to memory
Learn by heart, memorize, as in The director insisted that the altos commit their part to memory by Tuesday. First recorded in 1875, this phrase today is often replaced by the shorter memorize.
in memory of
As a reminder of or memorial to. For example, In memory of Grandma we put flowers on her grave every Easter, or In memory of our happy times here we've planted a little garden. [First half of 1300s]