you can't make bricks without straw proverb nothing can be made or accomplished without proper or adequate material or information 〈谚〉巧妇难为无米之炊。 [ORIGIN: with biblical allusion to Exod. V.; 'without straw' meant without having straw provided' （i.e. the Israelites were required to gather the straw for themselves）. A misinterpretation has led to the current sense.] |