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

• that's news to
• That's news to me.
• that's news to you
• That's not cricket!
• That's one for the books.
• That's rich!
• That's someone all over!
• that's that
• that's the nature of the beast
• That's the story of my life.
• That's the way the cookie crumbles.
• That was a ... and a half!
• That was a game and a half!
• That was a [game/meal/walk etc.] and a half!
• That was a meal and a half!
• That was a walk and a half!
• the ABCs of
• the ABCs of something
• the alma mater
• the answer to prayers
• the answer to someone's prayers
• the answer to your prayers
• the apple of eye
• the apple of someone's eye
• the apple of your eye