Why do we say 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.

What is the meaning of dead horse?

Definition of dead horse : an exhausted or profitless topic or issue —usually used in the phrases beat a dead horse and flog a dead horse.

When should you stop beating a dead horse?

To beat a dead horse means to bring up a previously settled issue. Any further discussion on it might be seen as pointless because the issue was already talked about before. Example: Like I said last week, our trip to Vancouver is on hold until next year, so stop beating a dead horse and asking me about it.

What is the meaning of the idiom a dark horse?

a person who is not expected to succeed in or unexpectedly wins an election, race, or other competition: a dark horse in the primaries.

What does a dead horse mean in a dream?

Horse Dream Meaning of a Dead Horse A dead horse can represent a metaphorical death of a relationship, friendship, or situation in your life. Dead horses can be a warning that you have lost direction, or need to move on to open the door to new possibilities.

Is raining cats and dogs an idiom?

It’s raining cats and dogs is an idiom which means it’s raining extremely heavily. When streets became swollen with rain it is likely there were many dead dogs and cats floating in the flooded streets, giving the appearance of having rained cats and dogs.

What is the meaning of hitting below the belt?

See synonyms for hit below the belt on Thesaurus.com. To say something that is often too personal, usually irrelevant, and always unfair: “To remind reformed alcoholics of their drinking problem is to hit below the belt.” The expression comes from boxing, in which it is illegal to hit an opponent below the belt.

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 is the meaning of flog a dead horse?

1. The idiom is really “flog a dead horse.” Because horses are raced, we figure one will win, that is “beat” the others. We may even whip it (flog it) to make it run faster than the others. If it’s already dead, whipping, beating, flogging, and other forms of hitting are unlikely to increase its speed.