beat a dead horse

Idioms and Phrases

Also, flog a dead horse . Try to revive interest in a hopeless issue. For example, Politicians who favor the old single-tax idea are beating a dead horse . From the 1600s on the term dead horse was used figuratively to mean “something of no current value,” specifically an advance in pay or other debt that had to be worked (“flogged”) off. [Second half of 1800s]

More About Beat A Dead Horse

What does beat a dead horse mean?

Beat a dead horse means to try to revive a hopeless issue.

When you beat a dead horse, you are bringing up a topic that has already been decided, like asking your parents if you can borrow the car after they’ve said no several times. You might also be bringing up something people don’t want to talk about anymore, as in Fans who demanded another season of the canceled TV show were beating a dead horse.

Often, a person will note that they are beating a dead horse before doing it anyway, as in I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but if you don’t study, you won’t do well on the test.

A common variation is flog a dead horse. Flog is a synonym for beat.

Beat a dead horse can be considered offensive due to its reference to violence against animals. Synonyms that don’t have this association include belabor the point and harp on.

Example: We were just beating a dead horse by trying to change the waiter’s mind about letting our dog into the restaurant.

Where does beat a dead horse come from?

The first records of beat a dead horse come from the late 1800s. The phrase dead horse has been used to mean “a thing with no value” since the 1600s.

Horses used to be a main way to travel long distances. As a result, horses were a big part of a society. A horse that can’t take you somewhere is no longer valuable.

Beating a dead horse is a waste of time, because it won’t change anything. Due to crudeness of the metaphor, the phrase can sound outdated and may be offensive.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to beat a dead horse?

• beating a dead horse (progressive tense verb, noun)

What are some synonyms for beat a dead horse?

• dwell upon
• belabor the point
• harp on
• linger over

What are some words that share a root or word element with beat a dead horse? 

• beat
• dead
• horse

What are some words that often get used in discussing beat a dead horse?

• hopeless
• pointless
• useless
• waste of time

How is beat a dead horse used in real life?

Beat a dead horse is commonly used in the context of a person continuing to bring up a topic even when it is a waste of time.

Not to beat a dead horse or anything but the Mets are terrible.

— Dust Dynasty❄️ (@BlockSportsPod) August 2, 2020

So yeah, I actually like Firefly, and I know I'm beating a dead horse but I can't believe it got cancelled.

— MetroCarRecluse (@metrocarrecluse) October 20, 2012

James really stepped up this year so far but I think the entire interior looks good… I hate to beat a dead horse but Leno looks bad out there (The Tape Never Lies)

— YourBro_BC (@YourBro_BC) September 23, 2020

 

 

Try using beat a dead horse!

Is beat a dead horse used correctly in the following sentence?

The man was beating a dead horse when he kept talking about adding a gazebo in the town square even after it had been voted down.