differentiate between (someone or something)
1. To distinguish between multiple people or things. I have a very hard time differentiating between the Westie and the Cairn Terrier—they both look the same to me! The ubiquity and influence of social media has made it really difficult to differentiate between fact and fiction these days. Don't feel bad if you can't differentiate between Lisa and Grace—they are very much identical twins.
2. To make multiple people or things noticeably different. We hung floral garlands to differentiate between the wedding and reception areas. On important school days, you can differentiate between regular students and those on Student Council because the latter wear a special sash. Yeah, you know, I'm pretty sure the poufy white dress will help people differentiate between the bride and her bridesmaids. Just a hunch.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
differentiate between (someone or something and someone or something else)
1. to recognize the difference between people or things in any combination. (Usually refers to two entities.) In your painting, I cannot differentiate between the costume of the figure in front and the flowers in the background. Can't you differentiate between Billy and his brother? I can't differentiate between a donkey and a burro.
2. to establish or create the difference between people or things. Why don't you paint in some highlights to differentiate between the figure in the foreground and the flowers in the background?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.