preach up

C1 formal inseparable transitive

In simple words

To tell people again and again, in a preachy way, that something is very good and they should support it.

Literal meaning: Using the raised platform of a pulpit ('up') to uplift and promote something — the 'up' mirrors elevation and promotion.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic formal

rare

To promote or advocate for something by using moral, religious, or persuasive argument repeatedly.

"The minister spent decades preaching up temperance, urging his congregation to abandon drink."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Somewhat archaic and literary. The opposite of 'preach down'. Used when someone uses the authority of the pulpit or moral rhetoric to advocate for a cause, virtue, or idea. Occasionally used ironically today to describe over-enthusiastic promotion.

Commonly used with

virtue cause reform temperance values gospel

Forms

Base

preach up

I/you/we/they

3rd person

preaches up

he/she/it

Past simple

preached up

yesterday

Past participle

preached up

have + pp

-ing form

preaching up

continuous

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Synonyms

advocate for promote extol champion talk up boost

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