The idiom "have a memory like a sieve" likely draws its comparison from a sieve, a kitchen tool used to strain liquids or separate particles, which has many holes or openings. Just as a sieve allows small particles to pass through and be lost, someone described as having a "memory like a sieve" is thought to forget things easily or have trouble retaining information. This expression is used to humorously or critically describe someone who has a poor memory or frequently forgets things. It suggests that their memory is unreliable, much like a sieve that allows things to slip through.

What is the origin of the idiom "have a memory like a sieve" and when to use it?

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to [have] a (memory|mind|head|brain) like a sieve

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Definition und Bedeutung von „ have a memory / mind like a sieve“ im Englischen

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