Meaning of Preaching to the Choir
If someone is preaching to the choir, they are presenting arguments or opinions to a group of people who already agree with them. In other words, it means to express one’s viewpoint to people who already hold the same viewpoint.
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.
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.
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 of Preaching to the Choir
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 its 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.
Synonyms For Preaching to the Choir
Several synonyms are often incorrectly suggested for preaching to the choir: Unchanged: Several synonyms are often incorrectly suggested for preaching to the choir:
- Tell it to the marines: an interjection used to express disbelief or incredulity.
- Wasting one’s breath: to offer advice or opinions that will never be heeded or agreed with.
- Beat a dead horse: to continue to discuss an issue that has already been discussed too much and will not result in anything changing
- Going over the same old ground: to have the same conversation and discuss the same topic that has already been discussed many times.
- Talking to a brick wall: if talking to someone is like talking to a brick wall, they are not listening to you or are ignoring you (see more below).
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.
What is the opposite of preaching to the choir?
While there is no exact opposite idiom to “preaching to the choir,” several idioms refer to the frustration and futility of talking to someone who will not listen. For example, if you are talking to a brick wall, you are talking to someone who is not listening to you or who is blatantly ignoring you. Variations of this expression are “talking to a post/fence post” or “talking to a stone.”
We also use phrases such as “like talking to a tree” to describe the same frustration of speaking to a person who refuses to listen. Similarly, we might also say that our advice or suggestions are falling on deaf ears.
All of these idioms describe speaking to a stubborn or obstinate person who refuses to listen or heed advice. However, none of them can be said to be exact antonyms for preaching to the choir, as they do not actually mean to talk to people who disagree with you.
More Idioms Related to Religion
- Losing My Religion: Contrary to popular belief, this Southern US idiom is not really about religion.
- Holier Than Thou: when someone thinks they are more virtuous or morally superior to others.
- To Play Devil’s Advocate: a very old idiomatic expression stemming from a literal court role of the Roman Catholic Church in the 14th century.
- Cross My Heart: this childhood promise has a quite literal origin.