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:

“Will this photograph I now show you refresh your memory?”

Edited at refresh & trf here. I'm tempted to label "law" but it is not confined to legal contexts. It is a common cliche in legal proceedings, however. Legal stenographers have a shorthand abbreviation for it. --SL, 8/02

• your own woman
• your own worst enemy
• your pound of flesh
• your road to Damascus
• your salad days
• your sea legs
• your smart mouth
• yours truly
• your tail between legs
• your tail between your legs
• your two cents
• your two cents worth
• your way out of a paper bag
• your wedding tackle
• your whole world came crashing down around
• your whole world came crashing down around you
• you said it
• You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
• You should be so lucky!
• You've got me there.
• You've made your bed .
• You've made your bed and you'll have to lie in it.
• You wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
• You wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.
• You wouldn't wish something on my worst enemy.