Idiom B2

The pot calling the kettle black

Criticising someone for a fault you have yourself

Meaning

The pot calling the kettle black describes a situation where someone criticises another person for a fault that they themselves have. It points out hypocrisy: the critic is just as guilty as the person being criticised. Literal: a sooty pot accusing a kettle of being black. Figurative: a hypocritical criticism.

Origin & History

The phrase comes from the days when pots and kettles were hung over open fires and both became blackened with soot. For one sooty pot to accuse the kettle of being black is absurd, because they are equally dirty. This made the image a perfect symbol of hypocrisy.

The saying appears in English from the 17th century, and a similar idea is found in the early Spanish novel Don Quixote. It has stayed popular because the picture of two equally blackened cooking vessels accusing each other is both clear and amusing.

Example Sentences

SentenceContext
You call me lazy? That's the pot calling the kettle black!Argument, hypocrisy
He accused her of being late — talk about the pot calling the kettle black.Work, hypocrisy
A gossip complaining about gossips is the pot calling the kettle black.Social, irony
Criticising my spending? Pot, meet kettle.Money, hypocrisy

How to Use It

The idiom is used as a noun phrase, often after 'that's' or 'it's': that's the pot calling the kettle black. It is informal and slightly humorous, and it is used to point out hypocrisy. A shorter modern version is simply 'pot, kettle'. It always implies that the critic shares the very fault they are attacking.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid

The kettle calling the pot black, you are wrong.

The pot calling the kettle black. — The fixed order is pot first, then kettle.

That's the pot calling the kettle white.

That's the pot calling the kettle black. — The colour is 'black' because both are covered in soot.

It's the pan calling the kettle black.

It's the pot calling the kettle black. — Keep the fixed words 'pot' and 'kettle'.

Similar Idioms

Devil's advocate A taste of your own medicine Set the record straight All Idioms →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "the pot calling the kettle black" mean?
Criticising someone for a fault that you are guilty of yourself.
Where does "the pot calling the kettle black" come from?
The phrase comes from the days when pots and kettles were hung over open fires and both became blackened with soot. For one sooty pot to accuse the kettle of being black is absurd, because they are equally dirty. This made the image a perfect symbol of hypocrisy.
Can you give an example of "the pot calling the kettle black" in a sentence?
"You call me lazy? That's the pot calling the kettle black!" Another: "He accused her of being late — talk about the pot calling the kettle black."
Is "the pot calling the kettle black" formal or informal?
It is informal and often slightly humorous. It is common in speech and casual writing to point out hypocrisy.
What CEFR level is "the pot calling the kettle black"?
B2. Learners must understand both the soot image and the idea of hypocrisy, which suits upper-intermediate students.
Is "the pot calling the kettle black" rude?
It is pointed but usually light rather than truly rude. It accuses someone of hypocrisy, so it is best used carefully or playfully among people who know each other.
What are common mistakes with "the pot calling the kettle black"?
Common mistakes include reversing pot and kettle, changing 'black' to another colour, and swapping in different objects. Keep the fixed wording and order.
What idioms are similar to "the pot calling the kettle black"?
Related expressions include 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones', 'practise what you preach', and 'a taste of your own medicine'. The closest is 'people in glass houses'.
Can "the pot calling the kettle black" be used in writing?
Yes, in informal and opinion writing, blogs, and journalism. It is too colloquial for very formal reports but excellent for lively commentary.
How do I practise idioms like "the pot calling the kettle black"?
Use LexFizz Flash Cards and Flip Tiles, and try using "the pot calling the kettle black" in a sentence of your own to connect the idiom to a real situation.