You’re Preaching to the Choir

You’re preaching to the choir is a Southernish saying meaning you’re trying to convince people who already agree with you. It’s a church-born American phrase that sounds Southern but is used everywhere in the U.S.

#Southernish

synonyms: telling me what I already know, stating the obvious, redundant advice

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'You’re preachin’ to the choir' is definitely common around here, but fairly common all over.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'You’re preachin’ to the choir' is definitely common around here, but fairly common all over.

Pronunciation

[YUR PREE-chin’ tuh thuh KWAR] /jʊɚ ˈpriːtʃɪn tə ðə kwaɪɚ/

Meaning & Usage

- Convincing the already convinced (humorous or exasperated remark)

Beverly:

We really oughta drink more water.

Rhonda:

Girl, you’re preachin’ to the choir.

variations: preachin’ to the choir, preaching to the converted

Origin

The phrase began as an American church expression in the early 1900s, adapted from the older British "preaching to the converted." A preacher addressing the choir-already believers-would be wasting effort. The idiom spread quickly through sermons, politics, and everyday speech. Though not uniquely Southern, it feels natural in the region’s church-centered culture.

Verdict: Southernish. A modern American saying with religious imagery that sounds perfectly Southern, even though it’s used nationwide.

Notes

Common throughout the U.S., especially in conversational and church contexts.
Used to acknowledge shared agreement or gently stop redundant advice.
Fits naturally into Southern, small-town, and rural speech patterns.
Still widely used in modern media, politics, and humor.

Common Questions

What does "You’re preaching to the choir" mean?

It means you’re trying to persuade someone who already agrees with you.

Is it a Southern saying?

Not originally-it’s an American phrase used nationwide, though the church imagery fits Southern speech.

Where did it come from?

From church life, describing a preacher addressing the choir, who already believe what’s being preached.

Do people still say it today?

Yes-often humorously, to show friendly agreement or mild impatience.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 20). You’re Preaching to the Choir. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/youre-preaching-to-the-choir
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "You’re Preaching to the Choir." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/youre-preaching-to-the-choir.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "You’re Preaching to the Choir." HillbillySlang.com. October 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/youre-preaching-to-the-choir.

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