preach to the choir

American  

[preech tuh thuh kwahyuhr] / ˈpritʃ tə ðə ˈkwaɪər /

idiom

1. to express an observation or viewpoint to those who already share the same observation or viewpoint.

   If you’re saying that juggling a career and parenthood is tough, you’re preaching to the choir—I’m a single working mom with two preschoolers.

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Etymology

Origin of preach to the choir

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Pratt needed to proselytize — not preach to the choir.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

In Shenker-Osorio's vision of persuasion, you did indeed preach to the choir, so the choir would in turn conquer the hearts of the much broader audience in the seats — the moderates.

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2022

And so we’re really looking at this 20- to 45-year-old range of people who, yes, there are the Black people… You preach to the choir, so that you can get that refrain.

From Slate • Jan. 4, 2022

When writing the graphic novel, said Maroh, she didn't set out to "make a book in order to preach to the choir, nor only for lesbians".

From The Guardian • May 30, 2013

“We always hoped that the film wouldn’t simply preach to the choir but instead carry a subversive message as far and wide as possible,” he said.

From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2010