點滴英語天天學第200期:雅思詞彙(39)
1.表述：flog a dead horse
釋義：To continue to focus on something—especially an issue or topic—that is no longer of any use or relevance. （繼續做一件毫無成功希望的事情）
例句：We've all moved on from that problem, so there's no use flogging a dead horse.
我們不再討論那個問題了，再討論也是白討論。
The history teacher lectured us every day about the importance of studying history, until we begged him to stop flogging a dead horse.
歷史老師每天都給我們講學習歷史的重要性，直到我們乞求他不要白費口舌了。
You're flogging a dead horse by trying to persuade Simon to go to Spain with us.
你勸西蒙跟我們一起去西班牙是在白費功夫。
A: Let’s not talk about it anymore, OK?
我們別談這件事情了，行嗎？
B: Yes, you are right. There is no use flogging a dead horse.
是的，你是正確的，再談也是白談。
2.表述：beat a dead horse
釋義：To continue to focus on something—especially an issue or topic—that is no longer of any use or relevance. （繼續做一件毫無成功希望的事情）
例句：Again and again, I've tried to get senators in my state to ban smoking in restaurants. But it's been hopeless so far; they haven't listened to me. I hate to beat a dead horse but I feel they need to pass this legislation in order to improve public health.
我三番五次想讓我們州的參議員設法禁止在餐館裏吸菸，但至今毫無進展，他們根本不理會我。我不想白費勁兒，但是又覺得他們應該通過禁菸的法案，讓大衆健康受益。
My son's room is a constant mess even though he knows he's expected to keep it tidy. My wife and I have done everything from pleading with him to threatening him, but it's been a waste of our time. We're simply beating a dead horse. He'll never change.
雖然明明知道應該保持整潔，但是我兒子的房間永遠是亂糟糟的。我和我太太用盡了各種辦法，不管是說服教育還是威逼利誘，都無濟於事。他永遠都改不了。
