# don't beat a dead horse

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dont-beat-a-dead-horse
Updated: 2026-06-07

## 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

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). (disputed)

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.