beating a dead horse
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Imported from Wikipedia “English-language idioms” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29), pending review.
Common questions
What does “beating a dead horse” mean?
To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution.
Is “beating a dead horse” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.