ask the impossible
verb1
To request or expect something that is too difficult.
- We ask the impossible of our law enforcement agencies, we ask the impossible of our health and rehabilitative agencies, and we confuse the public even further.1975, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act Amendments of 1975, page 199:
- To ask too much now would be to ask the impossible.2019, Miriam Focaccia, Pietro Blaserna and the Birth of the Institute of Physics in Rome, page 114:
1 more example
- What I ask is, will you use your influence within your Party? I do not ask the impossible, though I might from you, for you have done the impossible.2022, Inez Haynes Gillmore, The Story of the Woman's Party:
- Related terms
- do the impossible, ask for the moon