What does it mean to belabor a point?

To belabor a point means to work on something excessively, often to the point of being tedious or redundant. This term is often used when someone continues to argue or explain an idea far beyond what is necessary, thereby exhausting the listener with the repetition or over-explanation of that idea. By overemphasizing a particular point, the speaker may lose the attention of their audience, as the original significance can be diminished through excessive focus.

In contrast, the other options indicate different actions. To overview briefly and concisely would imply summarizing or stating something clearly without superfluous detail, which is the opposite of belaboring. Expressing uncertainty suggests a lack of conviction or confidence regarding a point, which does not align with the idea of over-explaining it. Ignoring important details would also diverge from belaboring a point, as it would involve omitting information rather than excessively elaborating on certain aspects. Thus, the correct understanding of "belabor a point" is well captured by the definition of working on it too much and thrashing it soundly.