preach to the choir: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘preach to the choir’ mean?
The idiom "preach to the choir" means to try to convince someone who already agrees with you or is already knowledgeable about a particular topic. It implies that the person you are talking to does not need to be convinced or further educated on the matter.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "talk someone into something" means to persuade or convince someone to do something that they may not initially want to do.
The idiom "put oneself across" means to successfully communicate or convey one's ideas, thoughts, or opinions to others in a persuasive or effective manner.
The idiom "put on a pedestal" means to admire or worship someone or something to an excessive extent, often idealizing them and treating them as if they are perfect or infallible.
The idiom "put on a clinic" means to demonstrate exceptional skill or expertise in a particular field or activity.
The idiom "pump someone's tires" means to excessively praise or flatter someone in order to boost their ego or confidence.
The idiom "pull the wool over someone's eyes" means to deceive or trick someone, usually by intentionally hiding the truth or misleading them in some way.
The idiom "pull the other one, it's got bells on" means that someone is being skeptical or doubtful of what another person is saying, implying that the person is not easily fooled or deceived.
The idiom "protest too much" means to vehemently deny or object to something in a way that seems excessive or insincere, often indicating that the denial is an attempt to hide the truth or one's own guilt.
When someone prevails upon another, they successfully persuade or convince them to do something, often through persistent effort or pleading.
The idiom "preach to deaf ears" means to give advice or make a speech to someone who is not listening or not receptive to the message.
Harmonious Conviction
Preaching to deaf ears is a related idiom that shares similarities with the phrase "preach to the choir." While "preach to the choir" implies speaking to individuals who are already receptive to the message being conveyed, "preaching to deaf ears" suggests the frustration of trying to communicate with someone who is unwilling or unable to listen. It signifies the difficulty of persuading or convincing someone who is completely unreceptive or indifferent to one's ideas or arguments.
The idiom "preaching in the desert" is another related expression that conveys a similar sentiment. It alludes to the idea of speaking or sharing information in a place where nobody is present to listen or respond. Just as preaching to the choir is seen as pointless because the choir is already knowledgeable and sympathetic, preaching in the desert is equally futile since there is no audience to receive or engage with the message.
One more related idiom is "talk someone into something." This expression refers to the act of persuading or convincing someone to do or believe something. While it is similar to "preaching to the choir" in the sense that both involve trying to convince someone, "talk someone into something" implies the act of influencing or swaying someone's opinion or decision, regardless of whether they were initially in agreement or not. It suggests the use of persuasive language or arguments to change someone's mind.
The idiom "preach to the choir" is an expression that conveys the idea of presenting information or arguments to individuals who already share the same beliefs or opinions. It emphasizes the futility of trying to convince someone who is already in agreement, analogous to preaching to the choir, where the choir already knows and understands the message being conveyed. This idiom serves as a reminder of the importance of engaging with those who hold differing viewpoints and the limited impact of addressing audiences who are already receptive. Additionally, related idioms such as "preaching to deaf ears," "preaching in the desert," and "talk someone into something" further illustrate the challenges and nuances of communication and persuasion.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "preach to the choir" can be used in a sentence:
- He was trying to convince his classmates to join the environmental club, but he was essentially preaching to the choir as most of them were already members.
- The politician's speech about gun control at the rally was ineffective as she was only preaching to the choir – the audience already strongly supported her views.
- The coach's motivational speech before the game felt like preaching to the choir, as the team was already highly motivated and ready to give their best.
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