preach to the

preach to the choir

To try to convince someone about something that they already support; to state one's opinion to those who are already most receptive to it. You're preaching to the choir here—we all have kids and understand how busy life can get. Honestly, you're preaching to the choir, but I just don't have any money to donate.
See also: choir, preach

preach to the converted

To try to convince someone about something that they already support; to state one's opinion to those who are already most receptive to it. You're preaching to the converted here—we all have kids and understand how busy life can get. Honestly, you're preaching to the converted, but I just don't have any money to donate.
See also: convert, preach
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

preach to the

choir/converted
To argue in favor of a viewpoint already held by one's audience.
See also: preach
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • choir
  • preach to the choir
  • preach to the converted
  • has come and gone
  • have come and gone
  • go the round
  • go the round(s)
  • fait accompli
  • a fait accompli
  • accompli
References in classic literature
"Dear friends, come and take this blessedness; it is offered to you; it is the good news that Jesus came to preach to the poor.
Adam Bede
In this ecclesiology of preaching, the preaching professor, who trains the pastors who will preach to the baptized so that the baptized can preach to the world, is far removed from the utterance that actually changes lives, or makes disciples, or proclaims the nearness of the Reign of God.
An ecclesiology of preaching
Unfortunately, with all the "wiggle room" removed from the canon laws governing preaching with the promulgation of this decree, only men will preach to the full assembly.
Excluding lay preachers stifles the spirit. (Opinion)
We preach to the problem; we preach to inspire human agency.
Theosis and preaching: implications for preaching in the Finnish Luther research
First, I am struck by the fact that Jesus stepped outside the church in order to call someone to preach to the Gentiles.
The conversion of St. Paul January 25, 2004