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convert

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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

preach to the choir

to talk about something with a group of people who already agree with you preach to the converted I realized that all I was doing was preaching to the choir - the men who really need to hear about this don't come to these groups.

See also: choir, preach

preach to the converted

to talk about something with a group of people who already agree with you preach to the choir Many websites seem to only preach to the converted, but others attract all sorts of people.

See also: convert, preach

preach to the converted

to try to persuade people to believe things they already believe (usually in continuous tenses) There's no need to tell us about the benefits of recycling. You're preaching to the converted.

See also: convert, preach

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