Quedarse en blanco
/keh-DAR-seh en BLAN-koh/
For your mind to go completely blank; to forget something you know.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'to remain in white'.
It means your mind has gone blank, especially under pressure.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Estaba dando mi discurso y de repente me quedé en blanco.
B1I was giving my speech and suddenly my mind went blank.
Cuando el profesor me preguntó, me puse tan nervioso que me quedé en blanco.
B2When the teacher asked me, I got so nervous that I drew a blank.
¿Cómo se llamaba ese actor? ¡Ay, que me he quedado en blanco!
B1What was that actor's name? Oh, my mind's gone completely blank!
📜 Origin Story
The origin of this phrase is very visual. Imagine your mind is like a piece of paper. When it's full of ideas and memories, it has writing on it. But when you suddenly forget everything, the paper is empty, clear, or 'en blanco' (in white). The idiom paints a picture of a mind that has been wiped clean, leaving nothing but a blank space.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use it for Sudden Forgetting
This idiom is perfect for that frustrating moment when you suddenly can't remember something you definitely know, especially when you're nervous or under pressure. Use it for exams, presentations, or even just forgetting someone's name.
The Verb is 'Quedarse'
The action of your mind going blank is a change of state, so Spanish uses the verb 'quedarse'. Always say 'me quedé en blanco' (I went blank), not 'estuve en blanco' (I was blank).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mind vs. Face
Mistake: "Confusing 'quedarse en blanco' with 'ponerse blanco'."
Correction: 'Quedarse en blanco' is for your mind going blank. 'Ponerse blanco' means your face turns pale from fear or shock. One is about memory, the other is about complexion.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Extremely common and universally understood in all contexts.
Latin America
Very common and widely understood across almost all countries, from Mexico to Argentina.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Quedarse en blanco
Question 1 of 1
You are taking an important exam and you can't remember the answer to a question you studied. What happened?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'quedarse en blanco' a formal or informal expression?
It's neutral, which is great because you can use it in almost any situation. You could tell a friend 'Me quedé en blanco' or even say it in a professional setting, like 'Disculpen, me quedé en blanco por un momento' ('Excuse me, my mind went blank for a moment').