orange

apples and oranges

Fig. two entities that are not similar. (Used especially in reference to comparisons of unlike things.) You can't talk about Fred and Ted in the same breath! They're like apples and oranges. Talking about her current book and her previous bestseller is like comparing apples and oranges.

See also: and, apple

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apples and oranges  (American)

if two people or things are apples and oranges, they are completely different You can't compare inner city schools and schools in the suburbs - they're apples and oranges.

See also: and, apple

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compare apples and oranges

to examine the similarities of things that are completely different Comparing the average wages of workers and managers is like trying to compare apples and oranges.

Usage notes: usually used to explain that two things cannot be compared

See also: and, apple, compare