Sometimes, people say one thing but do another. They might tell others to be kind but act unkind themselves. This is called hypocrisy. It means not practicing what you preach. In everyday language, people use idioms to talk about this kind of behavior.
Idioms help us understand these ideas more clearly. They can also make speaking or writing more fun and interesting. When someone acts fake or says something but doesn’t mean it, there are clever phrases we use. In this article, we’ll learn some idioms about hypocrisy. We will look at what they mean, how they are used, and where they come from. These idioms will help you describe people who do not act the way they say others should.
Idioms About Hypocrisy
1. Talk the talk but don’t walk the walk
Meaning: Say something but not do it.
Example Sentence:
– He tells others to recycle, but he doesn’t.
– She says we should be honest, but she lies.
Other ways to say: Say one thing, do another
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom uses “talk” and “walk” to show the difference between words and actions.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t do what they say.
2. Pot calling the kettle black
Meaning: Criticizing someone for something you also do.
Example Sentence:
– He said I was messy, but his room was worse.
– She called me loud, but she was shouting too.
Other ways to say: Being a hypocrite, blaming others unfairly
Fun Fact/Origin: From old kitchens where pots and kettles turned black from fire.
Usage: Used when someone is guilty of the same thing they complain about.
3. Practice what you preach
Meaning: Do the things you tell others to do.
Example Sentence:
– If you tell us to read, then read too.
– She says exercise is good but never does it.
Other ways to say: Follow your own advice, set an example
Fun Fact/Origin: Preachers give advice in church—this says they should follow it too.
Usage: Used to encourage people to act how they speak.
4. Two-faced
Meaning: Pretending to be nice but acting mean.
Example Sentence:
– She’s friendly in class but talks bad behind backs.
– He smiles at you but laughs when you leave.
Other ways to say: Fake, not honest
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of wearing two masks—one good, one bad.
Usage: Used for someone who acts differently in front of others.
5. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: Keep changing opinions or moods.
Example Sentence:
– He says he loves soccer, then says he hates it.
– One day she’s kind, the next she’s mean.
Other ways to say: Flip-flop, be unsure
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from an old story where someone used their breath to warm and cool.
Usage: Used when someone keeps changing what they say or feel.
6. A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone pretending to be good but is bad inside.
Example Sentence:
– He acted kind but stole from friends.
– She seemed nice but was very sneaky.
Other ways to say: Trickster, not what they seem
Fun Fact/Origin: From a story where a wolf hides in a sheep’s skin.
Usage: Used when someone hides their true bad self.
7. Speak with a forked tongue
Meaning: Say things that are not honest or true.
Example Sentence:
– He promised to help but didn’t show up.
– She says she’s your friend but spreads rumors.
Other ways to say: Lie, be dishonest
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from Native American stories about tricky talk.
Usage: Used when someone’s words can’t be trusted.
8. Lip service
Meaning: Saying something without meaning it.
Example Sentence:
– He says he cares about school rules, but he breaks them.
– She gave lip service to the team but never showed up.
Other ways to say: Empty words, not sincere
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to using only your lips—saying, not doing.
Usage: Used when someone just says things to sound good.
9. Look down your nose at someone
Meaning: Act like you are better than others.
Example Sentence:
– He said my clothes were cheap, then wore the same shirt.
– She mocked my project but copied it later.
Other ways to say: Judge, be snobby
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the way people raise their heads to seem proud.
Usage: Used when someone acts like others are less than them.
10. Holier-than-thou
Meaning: Acting like you’re better than everyone else.
Example Sentence:
– He always acts like he’s perfect.
– She says she never lies, but we’ve seen her do it.
Other ways to say: Self-righteous, full of pride
Fun Fact/Origin: “Thou” is an old word for “you.” This means thinking you’re holier than others.
Usage: Used for people who act like they’re better than everyone.
11. A case of the pot calling the kettle black
Meaning: Someone accusing another of something they also do.
Example Sentence:
– She said I never share, but she doesn’t either.
– He called me lazy but didn’t do his own chores.
Other ways to say: Hypocrite, blaming others wrongly
Fun Fact/Origin: Another version of the “pot and kettle” idiom.
Usage: Used when someone criticizes others for faults they have.
12. Not practice what you preach
Meaning: Tell others what to do but not do it yourself.
Example Sentence:
– He said to turn off lights but leaves his on.
– She tells us to be on time but is always late.
Other ways to say: Say but don’t do, be unfair
Fun Fact/Origin: From advice-givers who don’t follow their own advice.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t follow their own rules.
13. All talk and no action
Meaning: Say big things but do nothing.
Example Sentence:
– He said he’d fix the bike but never did.
– She keeps saying she’ll help but doesn’t.
Other ways to say: Empty promise, no follow-through
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used to call out people who brag or make promises.
Usage: Used when people don’t follow through on their words.
14. Put on a front
Meaning: Pretend to be someone you’re not.
Example Sentence:
– He pretends to be tough but is scared.
– She acts nice to teachers but is rude to kids.
Other ways to say: Act fake, wear a mask
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea of showing a “front” or fake side to others.
Usage: Used when someone hides their true feelings or behavior.
15. A snake in the grass
Meaning: A sneaky person who pretends to be kind.
Example Sentence:
– He acted like a friend, then told my secret.
– She smiled at me but spread lies behind my back.
Other ways to say: Sneaky, fake friend
Fun Fact/Origin: Snakes hide in the grass, ready to bite.
Usage: Used for people who can’t be trusted.
16. Play both sides
Meaning: Support both teams to avoid trouble or gain something.
Example Sentence:
– He told me I was right, but told the other person the same thing.
– She acts like she agrees with everyone.
Other ways to say: Be two-faced, not loyal
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from politics, where people try to stay safe by not picking a side.
Usage: Used when someone tries to please everyone dishonestly.
17. Say one thing, do another
Meaning: Not stick to your words.
Example Sentence:
– He says he’ll clean but always forgets.
– She promised to stop lying but lied again.
Other ways to say: Break promises, be false
Fun Fact/Origin: Very simple idiom—actions don’t match words.
Usage: Used to show someone’s behavior doesn’t match their words.
18. Hide behind a mask
Meaning: Pretend to be someone you are not.
Example Sentence:
– He hides behind a smile but is mean.
– She laughs with us but talks bad later.
Other ways to say: Be fake, not real
Fun Fact/Origin: From plays where actors wore masks to hide their true faces.
Usage: Used when people act nice but aren’t.
19. Do as I say, not as I do
Meaning: Telling others to behave but not doing it yourself.
Example Sentence:
– Dad says not to yell but shouts at games.
– She tells us to share but keeps all the snacks.
Other ways to say: Be unfair, not a good example
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used by adults, even when they don’t follow their own advice.
Usage: Used when actions and words don’t match.
20. Put on airs
Meaning: Act like you are better or more important.
Example Sentence:
– He started putting on airs after getting new shoes.
– She acted too good to sit with us.
Other ways to say: Show off, act proud
Fun Fact/Origin: “Airs” means pretending to be grand.
Usage: Used for people acting above others.
21. Behind closed doors
Meaning: Act differently when no one is watching.
Example Sentence:
– He’s kind at school but rude at home.
– She’s polite in public but yells in private.
Other ways to say: Secret actions, double life
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to private behavior no one sees.
Usage: Used to describe hidden bad behavior.
22. A Sunday face
Meaning: A fake happy face used for others to see.
Example Sentence:
– She wore her Sunday face at the party but was upset.
– He smiled with us but frowned once alone.
Other ways to say: Fake smile, pretend mood
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea of dressing up for church on Sundays.
Usage: Used when people show a false face.
23. Wearing a halo
Meaning: Acting like you’re perfect or better than others.
Example Sentence:
– He acts like he never does anything wrong.
– She thinks she’s always right and good.
Other ways to say: Self-righteous, proud
Fun Fact/Origin: A halo is often drawn above saints—used here to show pride.
Usage: Used for people acting too good for others.
24. A fair-weather friend
Meaning: Someone nice only when things are good.
Example Sentence:
– He left when I needed help but came back when I was fine.
– She’s fun when I win but gone when I lose.
Other ways to say: Fake friend, not loyal
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea that these friends only come in “good weather.”
Usage: Used to describe selfish or fake friends.
25. Smile to your face, stab you in the back
Meaning: Be friendly, then betray you.
Example Sentence:
– He acted kind, then told my secret.
– She was sweet, then said mean things about me.
Other ways to say: Betray, be false
Fun Fact/Origin: “Stab in the back” means being hurt by someone you trusted.
Usage: Used when a person is fake and untrustworthy.
26. Cry crocodile tears
Meaning: Pretend to be sad.
Example Sentence:
– She said sorry but smiled when I turned away.
– He looked upset, but I knew he wasn’t.
Other ways to say: Fake sadness, pretend emotion
Fun Fact/Origin: From the myth that crocodiles cry while eating.
Usage: Used when someone is pretending to care.
27. Put on a show
Meaning: Act fake to get attention or sympathy.
Example Sentence:
– She acted like she was hurt, but she wasn’t.
– He made a big deal of nothing just to get attention.
Other ways to say: Be dramatic, pretend
Fun Fact/Origin: From acting on stage—people putting on performances.
Usage: Used when people act differently to trick or get something.
28. Wear different hats
Meaning: Act in many roles, often with mixed behavior.
Example Sentence:
– He acts nice at school, rude at home.
– She’s sweet to adults, but mean to classmates.
Other ways to say: Change roles, be different
Fun Fact/Origin: Hats can show different jobs—this idiom means changing behavior too.
Usage: Used when someone acts differently depending on where they are or who they are with.
Quiz: Idioms About Hypocrisy
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “talk the talk but don’t walk the walk” mean?
A) Speak in a loud voice
B) Say something but not do it
C) Tell jokes while walking
2. If someone is “two-faced,” what are they doing?
A) Being kind and honest
B) Playing sports with friends
C) Acting nice but being mean later
3. What does “the pot calling the kettle black” mean?
A) Sharing cooking tools
B) Criticizing someone for what you also do
C) Talking about colors
4. What is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”?
A) A wolf who eats sheep
B) Someone who wears funny clothes
C) A bad person pretending to be good
5. If a person gives “lip service,” what are they doing?
A) Brushing their teeth
B) Saying nice things without meaning them
C) Singing loudly
6. What does “practice what you preach” mean?
A) Do the things you tell others to do
B) Talk to your teacher
C) Teach others how to dance
7. What does “smile to your face, stab you in the back” mean?
A) Help someone in a fight
B) Act friendly but betray someone later
C) Give a surprise gift
8. What does it mean to “cry crocodile tears”?
A) Cry real tears
B) Be very sad about something
C) Pretend to be sad
9. If someone is a “fair-weather friend,” what are they like?
A) A friend who plays in the rain
B) A friend who’s only around when things are good
C) A friend who checks the weather
10. What does it mean to “put on a front”?
A) Dress up for school
B) Show a fake side of yourself
C) Stand in the front of the class
11. What does it mean when someone “plays both sides”?
A) Cheats at a game
B) Stands on both sides of a street
C) Pretends to agree with everyone to stay safe
12. If someone is “all talk and no action,” what are they doing?
A) Talking about books
B) Bragging but not doing anything
C) Listening to others
Answer Key
- B – Say something but not do it
- C – Acting nice but being mean later
- B – Criticizing someone for what you also do
- C – A bad person pretending to be good
- B – Saying nice things without meaning them
- A – Do the things you tell others to do
- B – Act friendly but betray someone later
- C – Pretend to be sad
- B – A friend who’s only around when things are good
- B – Show a fake side of yourself
- C – Pretends to agree with everyone to stay safe
- B – Bragging but not doing anything
Wrapping Up
Idioms help us describe things in fun and simple ways. When people say one thing and do another, it can be hard to understand their true self. These idioms about hypocrisy show us how people can pretend, lie, or act in different ways. They help us spot fake behavior and learn who we can trust. Knowing these idioms can also make your speaking and writing better. Keep listening, and you’ll hear them in real life too.
