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Meaning of 'Beating a dead horse'

What does the saying 'Beating a dead horse' mean?

Idiom: Beating a dead horse

Meaning:

If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're beating a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work.
Country: American English American English | Subject Area: Animals | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
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