PhrasesHub

To make bricks without straw

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • lack of necessary resources
        Describing a situation where someone is attempting to accomplish something without having the necessary tools or resources to do so

    Examples of To make bricks without straw

    • The new CEO promised to increase sales by 20% in the upcoming quarter, but he has been given a very limited budget to work with. This puts him in the position of having to "make bricks without straw" in order to achieve such a significant sales increase.

      The phrase "make bricks without straw" is used to describe a situation where someone is being asked to accomplish a task that is practically impossible or requires significantly more resources than are currently available. The original meaning of the idiom comes from the Old Testament story of the Israelites being forced to build bricks without the straw typically used to hold them together, making the task much more difficult and time-consuming. In modern usage, the idiom is often used to highlight the futility of trying to achieve an unrealistic goal with insufficient resources. In the example provided, the CEO is facing this challenge as he attempts to increase sales by 20% despite a tight budget.

    • The company was asked to complete the project with fewer resources than usual, which was like trying to make bricks without straw.

      This example illustrates the idiom in the context of a challenging work situation. In this situation, the company is being asked to complete a project with fewer resources, which is akin to trying to make bricks without straw because it is an impossible task. The company does not have all the necessary resources, in this case, the straw used to hold the mud together to make bricks, which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to complete the project successfully.

    • The teacher assigned a project to her students that required them to complete it without any guidance, which was like trying to make bricks without straw.

      This example shows the idiom in the context of an educational setting. The students have been given a project to complete, but they do not have any guidance or instructions to help them. This is like trying to make bricks without straw because the students do not have the necessary resources, in this case, the teacher's guidance and instructions, to complete the project successfully.

    • The manager asked her team to complete a project in a very short amount of time, which was like trying to make bricks without straw.

      This example demonstrates the use of the idiom in a workplace setting. The manager has asked her team to complete a project in a very short amount of time, which is an impossible task, much like trying to make bricks without straw. The team does not have all the necessary resources, in this case, the time required to complete the project successfully, which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to complete the project within the short timeframe.

    • The small business owner was told by the bank that she could not get a loan to expand her business, which was like trying to make bricks without straw.

      This example demonstrates the use of the idiom in a financial context. The business owner has been denied a loan to expand her business, which is like trying to make bricks without straw because she does not have all the necessary resources, in this case, the loan, to make her business grow. This makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for her to expand her business successfully.

    • The boss asked us to complete the project with limited resources. It's like trying to make bricks without straw.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a person is given an impossible task without the necessary resources to complete it. The phrase "make bricks without straw" refers to the biblical story of the Israelites being commanded by Pharaoh to make bricks without the straw that was usually provided to them. In modern usage, it signifies doing something difficult or nearly impossible with insufficient resources.

    • The team was given a tight deadline and expected to deliver high-quality results. It's like trying to bake a cake without any flour.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a person is given an unrealistic or nearly impossible task with insufficient resources. The phrase "bake a cake without any flour" refers to the fact that flour is a fundamental ingredient in making a cake, and without it, it becomes almost impossible to create a desirable result. In modern usage, it signifies doing something challenging or nearly impossible with insufficient resources.

    • The organization was asked to reduce expenses and increase productivity. It's like trying to run a marathon without any training.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a person is given a difficult or challenging task without proper preparation or training. The phrase "run a marathon without any training" is used to illustrate the high level of physical and mental preparation required to complete a marathon, and how lacking in such preparation can make the task almost impossible. In modern usage, it signifies doing something challenging or nearly impossible without proper training or preparation.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "to make bricks without straw" is commonly used to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit. It can also be used to describe a situation where someone is attempting to accomplish something without having the necessary tools or resources to do so.

    In both cases, the intention is to convey the idea that attempting to proceed without the necessary resources or support is futile and will likely result in failure. It serves as a warning to consider the practicality and feasibility of a task before proceeding, and to ensure that all necessary resources are in place before undertaking it.

    The idiom is often used in a figurative sense, highlighting the importance of adequate preparation and resources in order to achieve success in any endeavor.

    Origin of "To make bricks without straw"

    The origin of the idiom "to make bricks without straw" can be traced back to the biblical story of the Israelites in Egypt. In the Book of Exodus, it is recounted that the Israelites were forced to make bricks without straw by their Egyptian taskmasters, who withheld the necessary materials for brick-making. This made their labor much more difficult and ultimately impossible.

    The idiom has since been used metaphorically to describe situations where someone is attempting to accomplish something without the necessary resources, highlighting the futility of such efforts. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding individuals of the importance of having the proper tools and resources in place before undertaking any task. The biblical origin of the idiom adds depth and historical significance to its usage, emphasizing the age-old wisdom of proper preparation and resourcefulness.