not for the life of me, etc.

not for the life of (one)

Regardless of how hard one tries or how much is at stake. He had just met the woman yesterday, but he couldn't for the life of him remember her name. Not for the life of me have I been able to get the lid of this jar off. Can you try?See also: life, not, of

not for the ˈlife of me, etc.

used for saying that you cannot do something, however hard you try: I can’t for the life of me remember his first name. ♢ He couldn’t for the life of him understand why she was so annoyed with him.See also: life, not, of