flog yourself to death
verb phrase · Idiom / expression C2
Plain meaning
to work far too hard and exhaust yourself
Exam-register meaning
to overwork oneself unsustainably, often in pursuit of achievement or approval
In context
naturalDon’t flog yourself to death over one assignment.
examThe culture of constant productivity encourages workers to flog themselves to death for marginal gains.
Common collocations
flog yourself to deathflog yourself over workstop flogging yourself
Watch out
This is informal and idiomatic; do not use it in a formal IELTS essay unless quoting speech.
Word family
flog (verb)flogging (noun/verb)