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Beat a dead horse Meaning in English

expression

BEET uh DED HORS
BEET uh DED HAWS

Definition

To keep discussing or trying to change something that has already been decided or cannot be changed, wasting time and energy.

Usage & Nuances

An informal idiom mostly used to describe pointless efforts or repeated arguments. Commonly in the negative: 'Let's not beat a dead horse.' Similar phrases exist in other languages. Not used for physical situations, only ideas or discussions.

Example Sentences

There's no need to beat a dead horse; we've already made our decision.

basic

Stop beating a dead horse and move on to something else.

basic

If you keep bringing this up, you're just beating a dead horse.

basic

We've talked about this enough—let's not beat a dead horse anymore.

natural

Honestly, complaining about it is just beating a dead horse at this point.

natural

I know you want things to change, but don't beat a dead horse—it's out of our hands.

natural