MovieChat Forums > Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) Discussion > Can't squeeze blood from a turnip?

Can't squeeze blood from a turnip?

posted 17 years ago by novastar_6
4 replies | jump to latest

Exactly what did the girl mean when she said 'can't squeeze blood from a turnip'? Does anybody know?

[–] jgarner136 17 years ago

That's just one of those old sayings that have been around since the beginning of time. It means that no matter what you want or how hard you try it ain't gonna happen.

[–] jamesabutler44 14 years ago

One of the great things about the internet is that you can google questions like this and get an instant answer!

http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/squeeze+blood+out+of+a+turnip.html

[–] Ash-lee 13 years ago

You can't extract what isn't there to begin with. Essentially meaning you can't get money from a person who doesn't have it, no matter how hard you try. Another common phrase: You can't ring water out of a stone.

[–] bobbydallas (8556) 4 years ago

i heard it first during this film and been usin' it ever since