ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fill in the blank

idiom
Meaning

A placeholder allowing for any of a variety of possible answers or a single elicited answer.


Origin

disputed origin

As a noun, a clipping of fill-in-the-blank question, problem, &c.

Examples
SIMPLE

Please fill in the blank with your name.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher handed out a worksheet and asked the students to fill in the blank for each vocabulary question.

COMPLEX

In this exercise, you must analyze the context carefully to fill in the blank with the most appropriate word from the provided list.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    blank out

    To become blank.

  2. 02

    draw a blank

    To be unable to recall a required piece of information.

  3. 03

    fill in

    To inform somebody, especially to supply someone missing or missed information.

  4. 04

    fill one's boots

    To perform at a high level in one's official role.

  5. 05

    fill one's face

    To eat, especially in a hearty or greedy manner.

  6. 06

    fill one's hand

    To draw one's handgun, especially for an armed confrontation.

  7. 07

    fill someone's shoes

    To do (somebody's) job; to perform or assume (somebody's) role.

  8. 08

    fill up

    To annoy, or displease, by taunting, or by excessive nagging.

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