2006-09-12 03:30:44 · 15 answers · asked by Brwnsknvixen 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The proverb has been traced back to Giovanni Torriano (1662) “Dalla rapa non si cava sangue” First attested in the United States in the 'Letters from William Cobbett to Edward Thornton' (1800). Translated to English as "To go about to fetch bloud (sic) out of stones” The proverb is found in varying forms: You can't get blood out of a stone; You can't get blood from a rock; You can't squeeze blood from a stone; You can't get blood out of a turnip, etc...."
Essentially it means you can’t extract what isn't there to begin with, which is a lot more specific than referring to all sorts of things that are impossible. OTOH, it also isn't specifically limited to referring to collecting debts from those who simply don't have the funds, though that is an excellent example.
2006-09-12 03:47:00 · answer #1 · answered by mrcma 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Blood Out Of A Stone
2016-10-15 06:20:34 · answer #2 · answered by wearing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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Blood is thicker than water, And some in my family are thicker than others. lol I like it that way... That's my point. Chronic Curiosity can be a killer, especially to someone who over analyzes everything. Need help... lol ..... your not the only one.
2016-04-11 00:33:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's mean I'm broke, dude. Try me again next payday!
2006-09-12 04:32:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's impossible
2006-09-12 03:36:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that if someone has nothing, you can't collect a debt from him.
2006-09-12 03:34:00 · answer #6 · answered by notyou311 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can't do what can't be done!! Usually referred to a bill collector. You can't get money from me that i don't have.
2006-09-12 03:33:24 · answer #7 · answered by exel 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it means no matter how hard you hit something, you cant always expect them to 'bleed' meaning give in.
2006-09-12 03:36:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
that depends on what you are talking about... if its a person it means they are stubborn or set in their ways that you can't get them to change their mind about something.
2006-09-12 03:37:27 · answer #9 · answered by c0mplicated_s0ul 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It means that it is impossible for something to happen in a certain way, or it is impossible to do something.
2006-09-12 03:33:50 · answer #10 · answered by WC 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋