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Flog a dead horse

Flog a dead horse

Meaning

To attempt to make progress with something that has no future.

Examples

Reissuing Betamax tapes? You’re flogging a dead horse there mate.

Where did it originate?

Britain, 17th century.

Where is it used?

Worldwide.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Flog a dead horse

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