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Pedir peras al olmo

To ask for the impossible / To expect too much

Idioms & Sayings
Notes & Usage:

Literally 'to ask an elm tree for pears'. Means expecting something from a source that cannot possibly provide it.

See It in Context

Pedirle paciencia a él es pedir peras al olmo.

Asking him for patience is asking for the impossible.

—Espero que cambie. —Estás pidiendo peras al olmo.

—I hope he'll change. —You're expecting too much.

Querer que eso funcione así es pedir peras al olmo.

Wanting that to work like that is asking for the impossible.

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