belabor the point
To talk about or emphasize something more than is necessary, usually to the listener's boredom or annoyance. A: "I don't mean to belabor the point, but I'm just worried that there won't be enough food at the party." B: "Yeah, we know, you've said that 10 times now." I'm only belaboring the point because we still haven't reached a decision. Not to belabor the point, but you do realize that's a granny knot, not a square knot, right?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
belabor the point
to spend too much time on one item of discussion. I don't want to belabor the point, but the sooner we get this matter settled, the better. If the speaker would agree not to belabor the point further, I will place it on the agenda for resolution at the next meeting.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
belabor the point
Repeat an argument or other issue over and over, harp on something, as in We've discussed her decision-let's not belabor the point. This term dates from the mid-1900s and derives from belabor in the sense of "assail with words," a usage dating from the late 1500s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.