Preaching to the choir is the same as preaching to the converted. But the “choir” version is the more modern and snappy variant, holding a bit more humor and irony. It is similar to carry coals to Newcastle in that it suggests providing an abundance of something to a place where it is already present in abundance. It also holds some similarities to beat a dead horse, although none of these idioms are synonyms.
Meaning Of Idiom “Preaching to the Choir”
If someone is preaching to the choir, they are presenting arguments or opinions to a group of people of who already agree with them. In other words, it means to express one’s viewpoint to people who already hold the same viewpoints.
Preach, in this idiom, does not suggest a religious sermon, although this is possible. It uses preach in a generalized secular sense to mean loudly proclaim, teach, publicly advocate, etc. while drawing on the original meaning of preach to conjure up a pastor preaching to a congregation. Such pastors are, after all, preaching to the converted. And, we can be even more confident that the choir, performing behind the preacher, are true believers in his message. This humorous image of a preacher turning around and preaching to the church choir helped the present variant take root and become the dominant version of the expression.
Several synonyms are often incorrectly suggested for preaching to the choir:
Tell it to the marines
Wasting one’s breath
Beat a dead horse
Going over the same old ground
Talking to a brick wall
Idioms rarely have direct synonyms and none of these can be used interchangeably with preach to the choir. In fact, a few of these idioms hold meanings that are almost opposite.
Sentence Examples
“Most political candidates holding town halls are just preaching to the choir. Telling their supporters what they know they want to hear wins cheers and applause but it accomplishes little.”
“Look, you’re preaching to the choir. I don’t want to take the job either, but the boss is personal friends with the clients.”
“No point preaching to the choir. I know you all believe in what we are trying to accomplish, so let’s just get on with it.”
“You ever hit a prisoner again, I’ll have your badge.” “Some day I’ll tell you what his people did to my village in ’75.” “All right. You’re preaching to the choir. Just don’t do it again.” — The Siege (1998)
“Man, that sucks. Guys can be such assholes.” “You’re preaching to the choir, sister. The gay man’s choir, which I’m a member of.” — Pledge This! (2006)
Origin
Preach to the choir gained popularity as an idiom during the late 1960s and early 1970s and steadily rose in use during the years following. It was based on the much older idiom, preach to the converted. Originally British, it found it’s legs in the American South during the 1900s before gaining widespread use. While preaching to the “converted” is an obvious and transparent allusion, calling on the choir adds a new layer of emphasis as the choir in a church must surely be the most devout of the congregation and to preach to them is a waste of time.