Phrase guide

preach to deaf ears

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To attempt to persuade a party that does not wish to listen or cannot be altered in its conviction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: like talking to a wall

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 對牛彈琴 /对牛弹琴 (duìniútánqín) — Translations
  • Finnish: puhua seinille — Translations
  • French: parler à un mur — Translations
  • French: parler à un sourd — Translations
  • Japanese: 馬の耳に念仏 (uma no mimi ni nenbutsu) — Translations
  • Norwegian: tale for døve ører — Translations
  • Polish: rzucać grochem o ścianę — Translations
  • Polish: rzucić grochem o ścianę — Translations