blood from a stone

English

Noun

blood from a stone (uncountable)

1. Something that cannot be obtained, regardless of how much force or persuasion is used.

   Borrowing money from him is like getting blood from a stone!

Usage notes

• Used with such verbs as get, draw, squeeze, wring and want.
• Often found in the proverbial form: You can't get blood from a stone.

See also

• get blood from a stone
• get blood out of a stone
• blood from a turnip