# preach water and drink wine

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/preach-water-and-drink-wine
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To act hypocritically; to fail to practice what one preaches.

## Examples

- He tells us to save money, but he preaches water and drinks wine.
- The politician promised to cut government spending, yet he continues to preach water and drink wine by approving expensive new projects.
- While the professor publicly condemns the influence of corporate wealth on academia, his private consulting contracts suggest he preaches water and drinks wine.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.