Idiom
beat a dead horse
Meanings
To keep talking about or trying to change something even though it is already decided, finished, or impossible to improve.
Definition
To keep arguing or working on something that has already been decided or can’t be changed.
To beat a dead horse means to continue discussing, criticizing, or trying to fix an issue that is already settled or hopeless. It suggests the effort is wasted because no new progress will come from it. People often use it to recommend moving on to a new topic or solution.
Examples
- We already apologized, so let’s not beat a dead horse.
- Trying to convince him now is just beating a dead horse.
- The project was canceled months ago, but she keeps beating a dead horse in every meeting.
- I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but we still haven’t agreed on a budget.
- They’re beating a dead horse by arguing about who started the rumor.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use this idiom for a situation that still has a real chance of success, but it should be used only when further effort is clearly pointless.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.