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Flog a Dead Horse

What Does "Flog a Dead Horse" Mean?

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"Flog a dead horse" is an English idiom. It means "to waste effort on something that has already been settled or is insoluble."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "flog a dead horse" used in a sentence:
  • Trying to convince him is like flogging a dead horse.
  • We've been over this topic so many times; let's not flog a dead horse.
  • Arguing about the past is like flogging a dead horse.
meaning for flog a dead horse

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Flog a Dead Horse" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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