English

Verb

preach to deaf ears ‎(third-person singular simple present preaches to deaf ears, present participle preaching to deaf ears, simple past and past participle preached to deaf ears)

1. (idiomatic) To attempt to persuade a party that does not wish to listen or cannot be altered in its conviction.
   • 2002, Edward M. Bennet, Separated by a Common Language: Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Anglo-American Relations, 1933-1939, Writers Club Press, ISBN 9780595222926, page 126:

     Roosevelt was tired of preaching to deaf ears. He was ready to try something else.

Synonyms

• talk to a wall