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Phrase(s): You cannot get blood from a stone. [and] You cannot get blood from a turnip.
Prov. You cannot get help from an uncharitable person or money from someone who has none. • Jerry and James spent two hours trying to convince the old miser to contribute to the children’s hospital; finally, James turned to Jerry and said in disgust, "This is hopeless. We can’t get blood from a stone." • The government can’t increase taxes any further—nobody has the money! You can’t get blood from a turnip.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs