Preach to Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To give someone a speech about morals, religion, or what they should do, often in a way that seems bossy or unwanted.
Usage & Nuances
Often used negatively to describe someone lecturing others, especially if the advice is unwanted. Commonly paired with 'the choir' ('preach to the choir') to mean saying something to people who already agree. Can relate to both religious and non-religious contexts.
Example Sentences
My mother likes to preach to me about studying every day.
basic
The teacher began to preach to the class about honesty.
basic
Don’t preach to your friends if they make a mistake.
basic
He tends to preach to everyone about healthy eating, even though he doesn’t always follow his own advice.
natural
You don’t need to preach to me—I already know smoking is bad.
natural
Sometimes it feels like politicians just want to preach to us instead of listening.
natural