practise what you preach

practice what (one) preaches

To do the things or behave the way that one advises, dictates, or espouses. My parents always told us to respect each other and not to bicker, and they really did practice what they preached. If you're going to tell your employees not to incur excessive, unnecessary costs, then you had better practice what you preach.
See also: practice, preach, what
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

practise what you preach

COMMON If you practise what you preach, you behave in the way that you encourage other people to behave. Note: The verb `practise' is spelled `practice' in American English. He practised what he preached, being more interested in moral values than money. I ought to be showing leadership and practise what I am preaching. Note: People sometimes vary this expression. The Bishop said the government had let the people down badly: it had preached love but practised hate.
See also: practise, preach, what
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

practise what you preach

do what you advise others to do.
See also: practise, preach, what
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌpractise what you ˈpreach

(saying) live or act the way you advise others to live or act: He’s always telling me to go on a diet, but he doesn’t practise what he preaches. He needs to lose weight too!
See also: practise, preach, what
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • practice what (one) preaches
  • practice what you preach
  • suit (one's) actions to (one's) words
  • suit actions to words
  • suited
  • suiting
  • lead from the front
  • toady
  • if frogs had wings, they wouldn't bump their butts (when they hop)
References in periodicals archive
'When you tell the younger ones not to give up you must practise what you preach. It is not about giving up, it is about service and when we talk about the service you give in your best,' Agbaje.
I'll win PDP primary, move ahead to become next Lagos governor a Agbaje
If we're all in it together, come on all you politicians, practise what you preach.
Stop MPs' perks; & COMMENT DEBATE YOUR LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF WALES
PRACTISE what you preach obviously isn't something taken to heart at the Department of Justice.
Voice of the People: Department of Justice has just bin so stupid
Half the problem of the modern world is that a few make themselves wealthy at the expense of the majority, and it is no good preaching if you do not practise what you preach.
Letter: Money should talk properly
Sorry Ron, what you mean is that, like virtually every other politician, you want to get back to working your way up the greasy pole of power so you don't have to practise what you preach.
Dear Jo: Readers' letters; You don't fool us, Ron
Mr Rifkind said in Brussels: "We believe in the rule of law and you should practise what you preach."
48-hour week splits the Tories