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run something into the ground

Meaning: To belabor something beyond reason; to go too far with something.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: The Absurd

Origin: Beat a dead horse means to talk about a topic or idea that cannot succeed (it's dead), whereas run something into the ground means to talk about a topic or idea that may be viable, but to do so to excess.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • have a screw loose screw — To be harmlessly crazy.
  • shot in the dark — A guess, often wild or based on little information.
  • sleep like a log — To sleep so soundly that noise doesn't wake the person.
  • snowball's chance in hell — No chance at all.
  • sow one's wild oats — To do foolish or wild things, usually as a youth.
  • speak of the devil — An expression used when someone who is being talked about has just appeared.

More English idioms

  • sales pitch — A speech or presentation designed to persuade someone to buy or do something.
  • save something for a rainy day — To save something, usually money, for a possible future need.
  • say a mouthful — To say something of a significant or shocking nature (sentence 1); to say more than one s…
  • scared out of one's wits — So afraid that one is unable to think clearly.
  • second-guess — To dispute or try to understand someone's reason for doing something.
  • second-rate — Of inferior quality; not the best.

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