convert

be preaching to the converted

To be trying to convince someone about something that they already support or understand. You're preaching to the converted here—we all have kids and understand how busy life with kids is. Honestly, you're preaching to the converted, but I just don't have any money to donate. Hey, you're preaching to the converted. I completely agree that it's vital for young people to get a good education.

See also: convert, preach, to

convert (in)to (something)

1. To leave one religion in order to follow another. I converted to Judaism in preparation for my wedding. I'm not ready to convert to Catholicism, even though my serious girlfriend is Catholic. Though I was raised Catholic, I converted to Hinduism after studying yoga extensively in India.

2. To cause someone to leave one religion in order to follow another. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "convert" and "(in)to." Everyone thinks Mandy converted me to Catholicism, but that's not really true. I'm wary of spiritual teachers who are very pushy about converting people to their religion. I think a gifted priest can convert people to Catholicism by making the Biblical stories really come alive.

3. To change or transform from one form, state, or function into another. The gas will convert into a liquid with enough pressure. This sofa converts to a pretty comfy bed. Wait, it's a full ballgown that converts into shorter dress for the reception? OK, I'm intrigued.

4. To change or transform something to a new or different form, state, or function. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "convert" and "from." The alchemist tried for years to convert lead and other common minerals into gold. Could you convert these American dollars to euros for me, please? Can you help me convert the sofa into a bed? I think something is stuck.

5. To shift from one type of person or thing into another. Did the shy kid I used to know really convert into a punk rock singer? Over the next few years, the small two-man operation converted to one of the largest businesses in the country. Did that kid really just sass me? Wow, he's sure converted into a brat since the last time I saw him.

6. To cause someone or something to change or shift from one type of person or thing into another. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "convert" and "from." The profession converted him over time from a trusting, open-minded young man into a bitter, cynical old grouch. The oppressive regime converted the country into a cruel police state. If you convert this kid into a utility player, he might just have a path to the major leagues. Only the most elite talents can get away with playing only one position these days.

See also: convert

convert from (something)

1. To leave one religion in order to follow another. I converted from Catholicism to Judaism in preparation for my wedding. I'm not ready to convert from Judaism, even though my serious girlfriend is Catholic. I was raised Catholic but converted from it after studying yoga extensively in India.

2. To change or shift from one thing into another. Did she really convert from that shy kid into a punk rock singer? Over the next few years, the company converted from a small two-man operation to one of the largest businesses in the country. Did that kid really just sass me? Wow, he's sure converted from a sweetheart to a brat since the last time I saw him.

See also: convert

convert from (something) (in)to (something)

1. To leave one religion in order to follow another. I converted from Catholicism to Judaism in preparation for my wedding. I'm not ready to convert from Buddhism to Catholicism, even though my serious girlfriend is Catholic. A: "Weren't you raised Catholic?" B: "Yeah, but I converted from Catholicism to Hinduism after studying yoga extensively in India."

2. To cause someone to leave one religion in order to follow another. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "convert" and "from." Everyone thinks Mandy converted me from Islam to Buddhism, but that's not really true. I'm wary of spiritual teachers who are very pushy about converting people from other religions to their own. I think a gifted priest can convert people from other religions to Catholicism by making the Biblical stories really come alive.

3. To change or transform from one form, state, or function into another. The substance will convert from a gas into a liquid with enough pressure. A: "But you don't have a guest room." B: "Don't worry, that thing you're sitting on converts from a sofa to a pretty comfy bed." Wait, it converts from a full ballgown into shorter dress for the reception? OK, I'm intrigued.

4. To change or transform something to a new or different form, state, or function. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "convert" and "from." We're converting the room from a bedroom into an office. Could you convert this money from pounds to American dollars for me, please? I think something is stuck—this thing won't convert from a sofa into a bed like it's supposed to.

5. To shift from one type of person or thing into another. Did she really convert from that shy kid I used to know into a punk rock singer? Over the next few years, the business would convert from a small two-man operation to one of the largest corporations in the country. Did that kid really just sass me? Wow, he's sure converted from a sweetheart to a brat since the last time I saw him.

6. To cause someone or something to change or shift from one type of person or thing into another. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "convert" and "from." The profession converted him over time from a trusting, open-minded young man into a bitter, cynical old grouch. The oppressive regime converted the country from a fairly Westernized place into a cruel police state. If you convert this kid from a shortstop into a utility player, he might just have a path to the major leagues. Only the most elite talents can get away with playing only one position these days.

See also: convert

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, to

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, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

convert from something (into something)

 and convert (from something) (in)to something

to change from one thing into another. We converted from oil to natural gas to heat our house. I had hoped he would convert from an impatient youth into a relaxed gentleman. He did not.

See also: convert

convert someone or something (from something) (into something)

to change someone or something from something into something else. Can we convert you from a meat eater into a vegetarian? Would you be willing to convert your oil furnace to a gas one?

preach to the choir

 and preach to the converted

Fig. to make one's case primarily to one's supporters; to make one's case only to those people who are present or who are already friendly to the issues. There is no need to convince us of the value of hard work. We already know that. You are just preaching to the choir. Don't waste your time telling us about the problem. That's preaching to the choir. Bob found himself preaching to the converted when he was telling Jane the advantages of living in the suburbs. She already hates city life.

See also: choir, preach, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

preach to the converted

Try to convince someone who is already convinced, as in Why tell me smoking is bad when I gave it up years ago? You're preaching to the converted. [Mid-1800s]

See also: convert, preach, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

be preaching to the converted

If someone is preaching to the converted, they are presenting an opinion or argument to people who already agree with them. You're wasting your time preaching to the converted. In any case the film was, by and large, preaching to the converted. Note: The converted are people who have converted, or changed their religious beliefs. Preaching is the activity of telling people about a religion.

See also: convert, preach, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

preach to the converted

advocate something to people who already share your convictions about its merits or importance.

See also: convert, preach, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

preach to the conˈverted

(American English also preach to the ˈchoir) tell people to support a view or an idea when they already support it: Why do they keep telling us about the importance of women in industry? They’re preaching to the converted here.

See also: convert, preach, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017