different

be another/a different kettle of fish

if you say that something or someone is a different kettle of fish, you mean that they are completely different from something or someone else that has been talked about. Andy was never very interested in school, but Anna, now she was a completely different kettle of fish. I'd driven an automatic for years but learning to handle a car with gears was another kettle of fish altogether.

See also: another, fish, kettle

be cast in a different mould

be cast in the same mould - if two people are cast in the same mould, they have the same type of character. She's cast in a very different mold from her sister. You'd never know they were from the same family.

See also: cast, mould

be (like) chalk and cheese (British & Australian, British & Australian)

if two people are like chalk and cheese, they are completely different from each other. I don't have anything in common with my brother. We're like chalk and cheese.

See also: chalk, cheese

be two sides of the same coin

if two things are two sides of the same coin, they are very closely related although they seem different. Violent behaviour and deep insecurity are often two sides of the same coin. Higher living standards and an increase in the general level of dissatisfaction are opposite sides of the same coin.

See also: coin, same, side, two

change tack

to start using a different method for dealing with a situation, especially in the way that you communicate. I've been very pleasant with them so far but if they don't cooperate, I may have to change tack. Instead of always asking him what he wants, why don't you try a different tack and tell him what you want?

See also: change, tack

(It's) different strokes for different folks. (mainly American)

something that you say which means that different people like or need different things. I've never enjoyed winter sports, but different strokes for different folks.

See also: stroke

a horse of another/a different color (American)

a situation or a subject that is different from what you had first thought it was. You said you didn't like going to the movies, but if you don't want to go because you're broke, that's a horse of another color.

See also: another, color, horse

march to a different drummer (mainly American, British)

to behave in a different way or to believe in different things from the people around you. While most of the country supported military action, Santini was marching to a different drummer.

See also: march

a whole new ball game

a completely different situation, often one which is difficult or which you know very little about. We'd done a lot of climbing in Scotland, but the Himalayas were a whole new ball game.

See also: ball, game, new, whole

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a different ball of wax

something not at all similar. Sports are very popular but the Olympics are a different ball of wax.

a (whole) new ballgame

See also: ball, wax

different strokes (for different folks)

different things are done or liked by different people. The man walks backward for exercise. Different strokes for different folks!

See also: stroke

know different

to realize that certain information or an opinion is not correct. Some people might say the job is easy, but I know different.

See also: know

march to a different drummer

to be different from other people. As long as the schools that are marching to a different drummer just serve poor kids, no one really cares how they try to teach their students.

See also: march