search me

search me

A response when one does not know the answer to a question. A: "How long has this milk been in the fridge?" B: "Search me. Check the expiration date." A: "When's Ali's birthday?" B: "Search me!"
See also: search
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Search me.

Inf. I do not know.; You can search my clothing and my person, but you won't find the answer to your question anywhere near me. (The two words have equal stress.) Jane: What time does Mary's flight get in? Sally: Search me. John: What kind of paint should I use on this fence? Bill: Search me.
See also: search
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

search me

I don't know the answer to that, as in Where's John?-Search me, I haven't seen him for weeks. This expression in effect means "you can investigate me completely for the information you want but you won't find it." [Slang; c. 1900]
See also: search
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

search me

INFORMAL
You say search me when someone asks you a question and you want to emphasize that you do not know the answer. `So why did he get interested all of a sudden?' — `Search me.'
See also: search
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

search me!

I do not know (used for emphasis). informal
See also: search
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌsearch ˈme

(spoken) I don’t know; I’ve no idea: ‘What’s the capital of Queensland?’ ‘Search me!’
See also: search
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

Search me

sent. I don’t know. (There is a heavy stress on both words.) TOM: How do crickets make that chirping noise? BILL: Search me. You can search me. How should I know?
See also: search
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

search me

Slang
Used by a speaker to indicate that he or she does not have an answer to a question just asked.
See also: search
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • search me!
  • beats me
  • (it) beats me
  • it beats me
  • (you/it's) got me beat
  • you got me beat
  • check through
  • have passed (someone's or something's) sell-by date
  • have passed your sell-by date
  • play a practical joke (on one)