How do you use "Practice what you preach" in a sentence?

You tell everyone to exercise, but do you practice what you preach? A good leader should practice what they preach. If you're going to give advice, practice what you preach.

Practice what you preach

Q: What does "Practice what you preach" mean?

To act according to your own advice or beliefs A reminder that one should follow their own teachings or recommendations. Often used critically when someone's actions contradict their stated values.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To act according to your own advice or beliefs

言行一致，身体力行

Actuar conforme a tus propios consejos o creencias

自分の助言や信念の通りに行動する

자신의 조언이나 신념대로 행동하다

A reminder that one should follow their own teachings or recommendations. Often used critically when someone's actions contradict their stated values.

提醒一个人应该按照自己的教导或建议去做。当某人的行为与其宣称的价值观相矛盾时，常被批评性地使用。

Un recordatorio de que uno debe seguir sus propias enseñanzas o recomendaciones. Se usa a menudo de forma crítica cuando las acciones de alguien contradicen sus valores declarados.

自分自身の教えや助言に従うべきだという戒め。言っていることと行動が矛盾しているときに批判的に使われることが多い。

자신의 가르침이나 권고를 스스로 따라야 한다는 교훈. 누군가의 행동이 자신이 말한 가치관과 모순될 때 비판적으로 사용되는 경우가 많다.

Examples

You tell everyone to exercise, but do you practice what you preach?
你叫大家锻炼，可你自己做到了吗？
Les dices a todos que hagan ejercicio, pero ¿predicas con el ejemplo?
みんなに運動しろと言うけど、自分は実践しているの？
모두에게 운동하라고 하면서, 본인은 실천하고 있어?
A good leader should practice what they preach.
好的领导者应该言行一致
Un buen líder debe predicar con el ejemplo
良いリーダーは言行一致であるべきだ
좋은 리더는 언행이 일치해야 한다.
If you're going to give advice, practice what you preach.
如果要给建议，就先自己做到
Si vas a dar consejos, predica con el ejemplo
アドバイスをするなら、まず自分で実践しなさい
조언을 하려면 먼저 자신이 실천해야 한다.

Pronunciation

/ˈpræktɪs wɒt juː priːtʃ/

Usage Guide

Context: hypocrisy, consistency, leadership

Tone: challenging, critical

✓ Do Say

Practice what you preach
言行一致
Predicar con el ejemplo
言行一致にする
말한 대로 행동해
Do you practice what you preach?
你自己做到了吗？
¿Predicas con el ejemplo?
あなたは自分の言う通りにしていますか？
너는 말한 대로 하고 있어?

✗ Don't Say

Often used as criticism
常用作批评
Se usa a menudo como crítica
批判として使われることが多い
비판의 의미로 자주 사용됨

Common Mistakes

None—very clear meaning

Origin & History

The sentiment appears in the Bible (Romans 2:21) and has been expressed in various forms throughout history. The current phrasing became common in the 19th century.

Etymology: Biblical concept, modern phrasing

First recorded: Concept ancient, phrase 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common moral saying; Leadership discussions

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Practice what you preachPractise what you preach