do as I say and not as I do
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: do what I say, not what I do
Meaning · English
Do not imitate my behavior but obey my instructions.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Do what I say now, not what I do
The dilettantish peekaboo
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “do as I say and not as I do” mean?
Do not imitate my behavior but obey my instructions.
Is “do as I say and not as I do” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.