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UKbeat a dead horse
/bˈiːt ɐ dˈɛd hˈɔːs/
/bˈiːt ɐ dˈɛd hˈɔːɹs/to beat a dead horse
[PHRASE]1
to waste one's time and energy for something that has no chance of achieving success or yeilds no profit
![to [beat] a dead horse definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/41048/original/ "to [beat] a dead horse definition and meaning")
What is the origin of the idiom "beat a dead horse" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "beat a dead horse" comes from the practice of beating a dead horse in order to make it move, which is obviously futile since the horse is already dead. Today, the idiom is commonly used in a figurative sense, to describe someone who is continuing to pursue a topic or argument that has already been resolved or has lost its relevance. The idiom implies that further effort or discussion is pointless and that it's time to move on to something else.
Examples
1. The politician kept bringing up a scandal that had already been resolved, and was accused of beating a dead horse to score political points.
2. The team had already decided to change their strategy, but the coach kept talking about the old approach - it was like beating a dead horse.
3. Don't want to beat a dead horse here, but I think you get the idea.
4. Maybe I'm beating a dead horse.
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