| 释义 |
dead horse
dead′ horse′
n. 1. something that has ceased to be useful or relevant. 2. beat or flog a dead horse, to persist in pursuing or trying to revive interest in a project or subject that has lost its usefulness or relevance. [1820–30, Amer.] dead horse
dead horse1. Something—especially an issue or topic—that is no longer of any use or relevance (as used in the phrase "beat/flog a dead horse"). The President's pledge to overhaul the education system became something of a dead horse after the economy crashed. We've all moved on from that problem, so there's no use beating a dead horse.2. dated A seaman who incurs debt for wages paid in advance. Countless men became dead horses on their ships, trapped paying off debts that were in themselves incurred to pay off other debts, in an endless cycle.See also: dead, horsedead horse n. a dead issue, especially one that is referred to continually. (Often with beat, whip.) Forget it! Don’t waste time whipping a dead horse. See also: dead, horse |