do as I say

Idioms

Obey my instructions, as in Never mind about the other mothers—you do as I say. This admonitory order is sometimes followed by a self-deprecating phrase, Do as I say, not as I do, meaning “don't imitate my behavior but obey my instructions.” This order first appeared in John Selden's Table-Talk (c. 1654): “Preachers say, 'Do as I say, not as I do.'”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I would be lying if I said the thought of a mini-me was purely exciting and not without… challenges. Let’s just say, I’m hoping you’ll do as I say, not as I do," he says.

From Fox News • Aug. 30, 2021

Yet despite that trend, Davis wanted to be clear that golf in general, to put it crudely, needs to do as I say not as I do.

From Golf Digest • Jun. 17, 2017

Like most of my requests as a parent, I am asking that my children do as I say and not as I did.

From Slate • Jun. 13, 2013

When it comes to things like that it's do as I say, not do as I do.

From The Guardian • Jul. 26, 2012

“Well, as you know, I have no call for anything of that nature. People do as I say without my having to resort to such drastic measures.”

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023