Beat a __, to Persist With a Futile Situation
Puzzle 10 of Love Songs Pack
Question is: Beat a __, to Persist With a Futile Situation
and the answer is: DEADHORSE
Word Meaning:
DEAD HORSE — (dated, nautical) The period of work on board ship for which the seamen have been paid in advance (usually a month's wages), the end of this term being celebrated by parading a straw horse about the decks.
Definitions from Wiktionary.