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Cudgel your brains

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Intensity of Effort

The phrase implies using significant mental effort to remember or solve something.

Illustration for Intensity of Effort
He had to cudgel his brains to solve the complex puzzle.
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Idiomatic Expression

It's an idiom, so don't take 'cudgel' literally; it's about mental effort, not physical.

Illustration for Idiomatic Expression
I had to cudgel my brains to recall his name.
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Slightly Informal

Mostly used in informal conversations rather than formal writing.

Illustration for Slightly Informal
Can you help me? I've been cudgelling my brains all day.
Visual representation of the word "Cudgel your brains"

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