qiǎo​fù​nán​wéi​wú​mǐ​zhī​chuī

even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice

Senses

巧妇难为无米之炊/ 巧婦難為無米之炊 qiǎo​fù​nán​wéi​wú​mǐ​zhī​chuī even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice

Even the most capable person cannot accomplish anything without the necessary means or materials.

References

synonym 巧妇难为无米之炊/巧婦難為無米之炊 巧妇做不得无面馎饦/巧婦做不得無麵餺飥
synonym 巧妇难为无米之炊/巧婦難為無米之炊 巧媳妇煮不得没米粥/巧媳婦煮不得沒米粥