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idiom

Beat a dead horse

BEET uh DED HORS

/biːt ə dɛd hɔːrs/

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Syllable breakdown

beatadeadhorse

Dictionary meaning

To continue to raise a matter, pursue an argument, or discuss an issue that has already been resolved or that others consider unimportant, wasting time and effort.

Examples

  • We've already decided on the design; bringing it up again is just beating a dead horse.
  • I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I still think the budget estimate was too optimistic.

British English sometimes uses 'flog a dead horse' for the same meaning.

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