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belabor the point

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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.

See also: point

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.

See also: point