beating a dead horse
6
7.5
- idiom
- Informal
:
darle vueltas a lo mismo
- Frankly, this has turned into beating a dead horse.
- want to beat a dead horse
And at this point guys, I'm beating a dead horse.
- And at this point guys, I'm beating a dead horse.
- But I, I know I sound like I'm beating a dead horse here, but it all comes back down to story and characters.
Examples
-
I have no intention of beating a dead horse.
-
Guys, you're beating a dead horse.
Blog text (10) -
I hate to beat a dead horse.
Blog text (13) -
Silly to beat a dead horse.
Fiction book (1995) -
Looks like you are beating a dead horse.
Blog text (15) -
Talk about beating a dead horse!
Blog text (8) -
Why keep beating a dead horse?
Blog text (34) -
Now you're just beating a dead horse.
-
Not sure why you're beating a dead horse.
Blog text (15) -
There's really no need to keep discussing that topic; you're just beating a dead horse.
Synonyms
6
6.5
To keep saying the same complaint again and again until people get annoyed
3
7.2
To discuss something again and again without reaching a decision
1
7.5
To waste effort on something that cannot succeed
1
5.2
To keep doing the same thing without making progress
To argue with someone who will not listen and waste your time
Antonyms
How Useful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal words ('beating' + 'dead' + 'horse') combine to create an obvious physical image — repeatedly striking something that can no longer respond — which conveys the idea of futility. Because the figurative extension (that further effort is pointless) follows a clear metaphorical logic but is not a literal compositional meaning in everyday use, a B1 learner who knows the constituents could often infer the sense but may still need exposure; this fits a semi-transparent rating.
Etymology
Beating a dead horse comes from a simple image: if you keep beating a dead horse, it will not get up or respond, so continuing to do or talk about it is 'pointless'.