synonymous

[snugglekitty]

I don't particularly like the expression "beat a dead horse."

Can anyone think of an alternative phrasing that expresses the same sentiment of pointlessness. All I can think of is "drying with a wet towel." But I have such smart and creative friends I bet you can do better.

Comments

[zzbottom.livejournal.com]

How about "keep pushing when the door's already closed"?

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

That's a good one, thanks!

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

i like "beating the greasy spot on the ground where a dead horse used to be", but you may not so much....

[dilletante.livejournal.com]

it's a particular kind of pointlessness, i think? it's not like rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic. it's like treading a well-worn groove. maybe it's like bringing coals to newcastle? except that's surely a britishism, since i know nothing about newcastle, i've just always heard that saying. maybe it's like throwing matches on a bonfire, or shipping ice to the eskimos (not selling ice to them, because that's different).

[saraheeyore.livejournal.com]

Yep, bringing coals to Newcastle is exactly like bringing ice to the Eskimos - and I think it's a different sort of pointlessness than beating a dead horse. "Drying with a wet towel" does amuse me...

[bluepapercup]

They mine/process coal in Newcastle. ;) Hence the ridiculousness...

The one that comes to mind is "running (thing) into the ground", but I'm not sure that's right for this either.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Throwing matches on a bonfire is a nice way of putting it. Thanks for chiming in.

[gentlescholar.livejournal.com]

Ooh, a challenge...

Pointlessness: "Stop arguing with the weather."
Redundant cruelty: "Don't tell the guilt-ridden they're evil."
Ineffective cruelty: "Don't tell a sumo wrestler he's fat."
Redundancy: "You're preaching to the choir." "How many more
wheels are you going to put on that bike?" "You're teaching a
math major how to count."
Pointless redundant cruelty: "You've ruined his life; why are you bothering to call him names?"
Pointless redundancy: "Are you going to recap the summary of the review of the description of the event we all just saw?" Or,
"So, to repeat what we all just heard perfectly well..."

Am I missing any aspects? :) Why yes, I do own a lathe just for turning phrases. I hope you like some of them.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

I like the one about the number of wheels on the bike. And recapping the summary of the review of the description! :)