beat a dead horse vs flog a dead horse

Both 'beat a dead horse' and 'flog a dead horse' are correct phrases that mean to waste time and effort on something that is already decided or settled. They are interchangeable and have the same meaning.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 642 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"beat a dead horse"

This phrase means to waste time and effort on something that is already decided or settled. It is used to emphasize that further discussion or action is pointless.

Examples:

I think we're beating a dead horse by continuing to argue about this issue.
There's no point in beating a dead horse; the decision has already been made.

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You want to beat a dead horse, do your thing.
I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, but I could stay.
Not to beat a dead horse.
And you, Sanjeev, know how to beat a dead horse.
Let's not beat a dead horse.
Listen, Benny, not to beat a dead horse.
Anyway, not to beat a dead horse, but just to be super clear, I was looking for the key out front, and I thought maybe it was on the side.
Not to beat a dead horse, but this is a global food system where there's a billion people hungry and billion people obese.
Sir, not to beat a dead horse, but if there was ever a time for us to put boots on Saudi sand, I mean, don't you think this is it?
There's no need to beat a dead horse.

Alternatives:

flog a dead horse
belabor the point
rehash old arguments
dwell on the past
cry over spilled milk

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"flog a dead horse"

This phrase also means to waste time and effort on something that is already decided or settled. It is used to emphasize that further discussion or action is pointless.

Examples:

Let's not flog a dead horse; we need to move on to more important matters.
I feel like we're flogging a dead horse by revisiting this issue.

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However, there is a saying that you should not flog a dead horse.
However, if we become proactive, then it is important that we react to the challenges of the digital era and not flog dead horses.
Mr President, there is no point flogging a dead horse.
I never kick a dead horse, lady.
You want to beat a dead horse, do your thing.
Spallone's flogging a dead horse here.
Permanent as a dead horse, amigo.
And you, Sanjeev, know how to beat a dead horse.
It's beating a dead horse.
I'm not talking about a dead horse.
Lies ooze from your mouth like pus from a dead horse.
Without beating a dead horse, I am truly sorry.
A dead horse, should be buried, not beaten.
I was told that you have made this beautiful wig from a dead horse.
That way, if they try these jokes in the election, they'll be beating a dead horse.
Let's not beat a dead horse.
On the Agriculture Committee, we, too, are fed up with forever flogging a dead horse where this subject is concerned.
One day Susano, in a fit of rage, threw a dead horse's body into her bed.
Listen, Benny, not to beat a dead horse.
Not only that, but if they find out you snitched, you get a dead horse's chopped off head in your bed.

Alternatives:

beat a dead horse
belabor the point
rehash old arguments
dwell on the past
cry over spilled milk

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beat a dead horse vs flog a dead horse

"beat a dead horse"

"flog a dead horse"

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