poles apart

Idioms and Phrases

In complete opposition, as in The two brothers were poles apart in nearly all their views . This expression alludes to the two extremities of the earth's axis, the North and South poles. [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

The two women are poles apart politically - but they both believe assassination attempts against Mr Trump were staged.

From BBC

He thinks the story has caught people's attention because the two styles of music are "poles apart".

From BBC

I have read accounts by experts and scholars that are poles apart on these matters.

From Salon

The tour was poles apart from luxury safaris with furnished tents and balloon rides over the Serengeti.

From New York Times

A resounding note of defense was sounded by Preston Padden, a former executive of Fox, ABC and the Walt Disney Co., who has supported Sohn’s nomination even though, as he observes, their political outlooks are poles apart.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• discrete
• disparate
• dissimilar
• distinctive
• divergent
• diverse
• offbeat
• particular
• peculiar
• separate
• special
• specific
• unique
• various