apples and oranges
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
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Noun edit
apples and oranges pl (plural only)
- (idiomatic) A comparison of items that, however categorically similar, is inapt; an incompatible equation, or the items thus compared.
- It's apples and oranges. You can't convert square meters to linear inches.
- 2014 January 17, Kath Murray, “Stop and search in Scotland: record figures need open debate”, in The Guardian[1]:
- So on the one hand, comparing policing issues in Scotland with what is happening in England may be like comparing apples and oranges.
- 2019 June 11, Rory Stewart, “Sustainable Development Goals”, in parliamentary debates (House of Commons)[2], column 592:
- In comparing Britain with other countries, it is important to remember that we are not comparing like with like; there is an apples and oranges issue.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see apples, and, oranges.
Synonyms edit
Antonyms edit
- apples to apples, apples with apples
- apples to apples, oranges to oranges
- oranges with oranges (rare)
Related terms edit
Translations edit
non-comparable items
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See also edit
- coinstantiation (apples and oranges are both fruit)
- like-for-like
- noncomparable, uncomparable