Idiom idiom
don't beat a dead horse
Meaning
Move on; this subject is over
Examples
“We already decided on the menu, so don't beat a dead horse.”
“The boss said no to your request twice, so it is probably best not to beat a dead horse by asking again.”
“Although he felt his arguments were valid, he realized the committee would never change its mind and decided it was useless to beat a dead horse any longer.”
Origin
disputed origin
disputed origin
19th-century British; MP John Bright likened rousing an apathetic Parliament to flogging a dead horse; also linked to the nautical 'dead horse' (work already paid for).
Last updated June 7, 2026