hypocrite
gb/hˈɪpəkɹˌɪt/ us/hˈɪpəkɹˌɪt/
B2
English
képmutató
NOUN
B2
1
képmutató
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a hypocrite; call [someone] a hypocrite; accuse [someone] of being a hypocrite
He lectures everyone about honesty, but he lies to his clients—he’s a hypocrite.
Mindenkinek az őszinteségről prédikál, közben pedig hazudik az ügyfeleinek – képmutató.
She called him a hypocrite for criticizing gossip while spreading rumors himself.
Képmutatónak nevezte, amiért elítélte a pletykálkodást, miközben ő maga is pletykákat terjesztett.
People will listen more if you’re not seen as a hypocrite.
Learner examples
Don’t be a hypocrite—follow the same rules you give other people.
Ne légy képmutató: ugyanazokat a szabályokat kövesd, amelyeket másoknak is előírsz.
He is a hypocrite because he says smoking is bad but he smokes.
Képmutató, mert azt mondja, hogy a dohányzás káros, mégis dohányzik.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse the person (a hypocrite) with the behavior (hypocrisy).
Meaning
Person who pretends to be moral
Collocations
a hypocrite
|a total hypocrite
|a complete hypocrite
|a self-righteous hypocrite
|a religious hypocrite
|political hypocrites
|accuse [someone] of being a hypocrite
|call [someone] a hypocrite
|no better than a hypocrite
|act like a hypocrite
Synonyms
two-faced person (Emphasizes showing different faces to different people.)
|
fraud (Stronger; suggests deliberate deception or dishonesty.)
|
phoney (Informal; stresses being fake or not genuine.)
|
impostor (Often used for pretending to be a different person or professional role, not just moral standards.)
Antonyms
sincere person (Open and honest about beliefs and feelings.)
|
person of integrity (Acts consistently with stated values.)
|
straight shooter (Informal; speaks plainly and honestly.)
Themes
ethics
|social_relations
|behavior
|conflict
Definition
A hypocrite is someone who says one thing is right but does the opposite.
A person who publicly claims to have certain moral beliefs or standards but does not behave according to them, often criticizing others for actions they themselves do.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hypocrite
IPA
GB/hˈɪpəkɹˌɪt/
US/hˈɪpəkɹˌɪt/
Syllables & stress
hy - po - crite (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hypocrite
- Plural: hypocrite, hypocrites
Word family
Forms
hypocrites
noun
Core family
hypocrisy
noun C1
hypocritical
adjective C1
Related words
hypocritically
adverb C1
Expressions
do as i say, not as i do
1/dˈu ˈæz ˈaɪ sˈeɪ | nˈɑt ˈæz ˈaɪ dˈu/
idiom
Follow my advice, not my actions
Listen to my advice, even if I don’t follow it.
Examples
- He keeps telling his kids not to shout, but he shouts all the time—classic ‘do as I say, not as I do.’
- The company preaches transparency, but it acts like ‘do as we say, not as we do.’
practice what you preach
1/pɹˈæktɪs wˈʌt jˈu pɹˈit͡ʃ/
idiom
do what you tell others to do
To do the things that you tell other people are right or important.
Examples
- If you tell your kids not to shout, you should practice what you preach.
- The manager talks about work–life balance but doesn’t practice what he preaches.
- Voters want leaders who practice what they preach.
practice what you preach
1/pɹˈæktɪs wˈʌt jˈu pɹˈit͡ʃ/
idiom
Do what you say others should
Do the same good things you tell others to do.
Examples
- If you want your team to be punctual, you need to practice what you preach.
- She tells everyone to be kind, but she doesn’t always practice what she preaches.
Learner examples
- You should practice what you preach.
preach one thing and do another
1/pɹˈit͡ʃ wˈʌn θˈɪŋ ˈænd dˈu ənˈʌðɚ/
fixed phrase
Say one thing, do the opposite
Say something is right, but not do it yourself.
Examples
- It’s hard to trust leaders who preach one thing and do another.
- He preaches one thing and does another when no one is watching.
Learner examples
- She preaches one thing and does another.
the pot calling the kettle black
1/ðə pˈɑt kˈɔlɪŋ ðə kˈɛtəl blˈæk/
idiom
informal
Accuse others of your own fault
You criticize someone for the same bad thing you do.
Examples
- You’re calling her messy, but your room is worse—it’s the pot calling the kettle black.
- When he complains about other people’s driving, it feels like the pot calling the kettle black.