apples and oranges

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apples and oranges

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• apples to oranges

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apples and oranges pl (plural only)

1. (idiomatic) A comparison of items that, however categorically similar, is inapt; an incompatible analogy, or the items so compared; disanalogy.

   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:

     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)‎, 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.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see apples,‎ and,‎ oranges.

• chalk and cheese
• night and day
• day and night

• apples to apples, apples with apples
• apples to apples, oranges to oranges
• oranges with oranges (rare)

• mix apples and oranges

• coinstantiation (apples and oranges are both fruit)
• like-for-like
• noncomparable, incomparable, uncomparable