apples and oranges

Idioms and Phrases

Unlike objects or persons, as in Assessing the problems of the neighborhood grocery by examining a giant supermarket is comparing apples and oranges . This metaphor for dissimilarity began as apples and oysters , which appeared in John Ray's proverb collection of 1670. It is nearly always accompanied by a warning that one cannot compare such different categories.

Example Sentences

“So the new systems that are going into place are like apples and oranges compared to the old systems.”

From Los Angeles Times

He also grew pears, figs, quinces, lemons and apples — and oranges.

From Los Angeles Times

Using a twist on the "apples and oranges" expression, Herculano-Houzel explained why she believes their reasoning is flawed.

From Salon

"It's like mixing apples and oranges in the juicer then complaining that the drink doesn't taste like an apple, so it couldn't have been an apple going in," says Herculano-Houzel.

From Salon

Instead, the North Carolina representative characterized it as "apples and oranges."

From Salon