What is the meaning of the idiom beat a dead horse?

1 : to keep talking about a subject that has already been discussed or decided I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but I still don’t understand what happened. 2 : to waste time and effort trying to do something that is impossible Is it just beating a dead horse to ask for another recount of the votes?

What is the origin of the idiom beat a dead horse?

The origin of the expression ‘beat a dead horse’ comes from the mid-19th century, when the practice of beating horses to make them go faster was often viewed as acceptable. To beat a dead horse would be pointless, as it wouldn’t be able to go anywhere.

How do you use flogging a dead horse in a sentence?

(1) He keeps trying to get it published but I think he’s flogging a dead horse. (2) Pam’s flogging a dead horse trying to organize the theatre trip.

What is the idiom of beating around the bush?

to talk about lots of unimportant things because you want to avoid talking about what is really important: Quit beating around the bush and say what’s on your mind. (Definition of beat around the bush from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Is beating a dead horse a bad phrase?

“Beating a dead horse” means discussing or trying to discuss a topic which has already been settled. It is usually used as a negative.

How do you use Cloud 9 in a sentence?

a state of extreme happiness. (1) He was on cloud nine after winning the competition. (2) When Michael was born I was on cloud nine. (3) She has been on cloud nine since the magazine printed the story she wrote.

What does the idiom no dice mean?

No dice, from the 1920s, alludes to an unlucky throw in gambling; no go, alluding to lack of progress, dates from about 1820; and no soap dates from about 1920 and possibly alludes to the phrase it won’t wash, meaning “it won’t find acceptance.” Also see nothing doing; won’t wash.

What is the meaning of beat a dead horse?

Example of use: “He already told you no; don’t beat a dead horse.”. The origin of the expression ‘beat a dead horse’ comes from the mid-19th century, when the practice of beating horses to make them go faster was often viewed as acceptable.

What are some ways to beat a dead horse?

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.

What is the origin of the term 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] The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

What does it mean to flog a dead horse?

A variation of this expression is flogging a dead horse. Flogging is a synonym for beating. This idiom originates from a literal meaning in which a horse owner or rider would hit a horse to make it go faster. However, if the horse were already dead, no amount of beating would make it move.