巧妇难为无米之炊
      Explanation: Even the smart, talented women, but also can not do without rice meal. Metaphor of the lack of the necessary conditions to work hard to make.
      Usage: The main predicate; as the predicate attribute; metaphor lack of the necessary conditions to work hard to make
      Source: Lu Song "Old School Om notes," the third volume: "Monk said: 'On the cleverest housewife can make almost no soup cake?'"
  • Thesaurus:  Without rice Embarrass dress food