We already decided on the menu, so don't beat a dead horse.
don't beat a dead horse
idiomMove on; this subject is over
Origin
disputed origin19th-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).
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.
Last updated June 7, 2026