# get blood out of a stone

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-blood-out-of-a-stone
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To do something difficult, frustrating, or pointless.

## Examples

- Getting him to talk is like getting blood out of a stone.
- I tried to get a straight answer from the manager, but it was like trying to get blood out of a stone.
- Extracting any useful information from the reluctant witness proved to be like trying to get blood out of a stone, leaving the investigators frustrated and empty-handed.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.