The idiom “to make bricks without straw” is often used to describe a situation where someone is expected to accomplish a task or achieve a goal with inadequate or insufficient resources. It originates from the biblical story in the Book of Exodus where the Israelites were forced to make bricks without being provided with the necessary straw, which made their task nearly impossible. In a broader sense, the idiom conveys the idea of being asked to achieve something difficult or impossible with limited or unavailable resources, putting
Usage with Examples
The idiom “to make bricks without straw” is used in various contexts to describe situations where individuals or groups are expected to achieve tasks or goals without the necessary resources. Here are some examples of where you might encounter this idiom:
- “The management wants us to complete the project by the deadline, but they haven’t allocated any extra budget. It’s like they’re expecting us to make bricks without straw.”
- “The sales team is being asked to achieve unrealistic targets without any additional marketing resources. It’s making them feel like they’re making bricks without straw.”
- “The school is pushing for higher exam scores, but they’re not providing teachers with the necessary training materials. It’s like they’re asking them to make bricks without straw.”
Also Read: Useful Idioms with Examples, Sentences and Meanings
Synonyms and Similar Words To Make Bricks Without Straw Idiom
Mentioned below are some synonyms and related words for to make bricks without straw idiom:
- Work against the odds
- Work with limited means
- Accomplish the impossible
- Achieve the unattainable
- Do the impossible
- Face an uphill battle
- Overcome adversity
- Grasp at straws
- Fight an uphill battle
- Make do with less
Also Read: Idioms for IELTS
To Make Bricks Without Straw Idiom Quiz
What does the idiom “to make bricks without straw” mean?
a) To create a new building material
b) To accomplish a task using unconventional methods
c) To achieve something with limited or insufficient resources
d) To build something without proper planning
Answer: (C)
This was all about the idiom of making bricks without straw meaning and examples. Hope you understood the concept where it’s used. For more such blogs, follow Leverage Edu.