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Don't beat a dead horse
To beat a dead horse means to keep talking about a problem or trying to change something even though nothing more can be done. It describes wasting time and effort on something that is already finished or decided.The idiom dates back to the time before cars, when horses were used to move things around. It comes from the image of a working horse that has already died and cannot move anymore. Hitting it would not make it work again, so the effort would be pointless.
We've already decided on the plan, so there's no point beating a dead horse.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you
The saying don't bite the hand that feeds you means you should not hurt or insult someone who helps you. If you do, you might lose their support.The idiom comes from the literal image of an animal biting the hand of the person who is giving it food.
Be polite to your coach - don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
The phrase don't count your chickens before they hatch means you should not assume success too early. Plans can change, and results are not certain yet. The saying comes from farming, where out of a clutch of eggs, not every one hatches.She was celebrating already, but I said don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Don't cry over spilled milk
The saying don't cry over spilled milk means don't get upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed. It reminds people that worrying about the past does not help. The phrase encourages acceptance and moving forward.There is no use crying over spilled milk.
Don't hold your breath
The idiom don't hold your breath means that something is unlikely to happen soon, or may never happen at all, so don't expect anything soon.This comes from the idea that a person can only hold their breath for a short time. If something takes too long, they would have to breathe before it happens.
They say the repairs will be finished next week, but I would not hold my breath.
Don't judge a book by its cover
The saying don't judge a book by its cover means you should not decide what something is like based only on how it looks. Appearances can be misleading. It compares people or things to books that may look plain but have great stories inside.He seemed quiet at first, but don't judge a book by its cover.
Don't make a mountain out of a molehill
The phrase don't make a mountain out of a molehill means don't turn a small problem into a huge one. It reminds you to keep things in perspective.A molehill is a small mound of dirt and a mountain is huge, so the mental image is a funny contrast.
It was a tiny mistake, so calm down and don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
The phrase don't put all your eggs in one basket means don't risk everything on one plan - if that plan fails, you could lose everything. If you were carrying eggs in a basket and dropped the basket, all the eggs could break. It has come to mean advice to be open to alternatives, or to diversity investments instead of relying on only one thing.He bought shares in many different companies so he didn't put all his eggs in one basket.
Don't rock the boat
The phrase don't rock the boat means don't do anything to disrupt a situation that is currently stable. It suggests keeping calm or even doing nothing, even if you disagree. This idiom draws from the idea that if someone deliberately rocks a boat, it could tip over and everything falls out.Let's discuss it gently and not rock the boat.
Don't shoot the messenger
The idiom don't shoot the messenger means that a person should not be blamed or punished for delivering bad news. The messenger is only passing along information, and isn't responsible for the problem.The expression comes from ancient times when messengers carried news between rulers or armies. Sometimes the news was so unwelcome that the messenger was punished, even though they were not at fault.
I am just telling you what the teacher said, so don't shoot the messenger.
Don't throw good money after bad
Don't throw good money after bad is an idiom that is used to tell you not to waste more resources like time or money in a project or investment that is failing, just because you have already invested a lot.You would use this idiom to give advice to someone to stop what they are doing.
Nobody is going to buy that product, you need to stop development on it. Don't keep throwing good money after bad.
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater
The idiom don't throw the baby out with the bathwater means don't get rid of something good while trying to remove something bad. It warns against overreacting and losing what matters.The original saying comes from the days a family would all share the same bath water and wash one at a time, starting with the man of the house and ending with the baby. By the end, the water was so dirty you might not notice the baby was still in it, and throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Fix the rules, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Done and dusted
The idiom done and dusted means finished completely, with nothing left to do. It is often said with relief after a task is completed.The "dusted" part suggests you've finished a job, put everything away, and cleaned up any mess you made in the process.
The exam is done and dusted now.
Dot the I's and cross the T's
The idiom dot the i's and cross the t's means to pay attention to small details and finish things properly. It suggests being careful and thorough. The origin is from handwriting, where missing dots and crosses can make words unclear.She wrote a really good report, really dotted the I's and crossed the T's
Double-edged sword
A double-edged sword is something that has both good and bad effects. It can help you, but it can also cause problems. The origin is the literal image of a sword that is sharp on both edges.Being famous can be a double-edged sword.
Down a rabbit hole
To go down a rabbit hole means to become deeply involved in something, often following one idea after another until you lose track of time.It comes from the story Alice in Wonderland, where Alice falls down a rabbit hole and enters a strange and confusing world.
I only meant to read one article, but I went down a rabbit hole and spent three hours researching medieval architecture.
Down for the count
The phrase down for the count means unable to continue, usually because you are exhausted or defeated.It comes from boxing, where a knocked-down boxer is counted out. People also use it for being very tired or sick.
After the long day, I was down for the count.
Down in flames
The idiom to go down in flames means to fail completely in a very dramatic or embarrassing way.The phrase comes from aviation, where an aircraft that catches fire may fall from the sky in flames. The striking image led to the expression being used for failures that happen suddenly and publicly.
His ambitious business idea went down in flames after the investors pulled out.
Down the drain
The phrase down the drain means wasted or lost completely. Time, money, or effort disappears and cannot be recovered. This idiom draws a parallel to water going down the drain of a sink and vanishing.All that planning went down the drain when it rained.
Down to earth
The idiom down to earth means practical, realistic, and not showy. A down-to-earth person is easy to talk to and not stuck-up.The phrase comes from the idea of being close to the ground rather than elevated or distant.
Despite his success, he remained down to earth.