Comparing apples to oranges

Are you using the idiom Comparing apples to oranges but not sure about its meaning? Using idioms, which are important elements of spoken and written language, in the right place strengthens your language skills. Examine the meaning of the Comparing apples to oranges idiom and the situations in which it is used.

Meaning of "Comparing apples to oranges"

Meaning

The idiom, 'Comparing apples to oranges', is used to refer to an unjustifiable comparison between two things that are not easily comparable. The expression is often used as a rhetorical device to point out the flaws in an argument or debate. It is meant to demonstrate the absurdity of comparing two things that, though seemingly similar, have much more difference than similarities.

Etymology

The phrase dates back to at least the mid 19th century and is likely of American origin. Variations of the saying like 'comparing pears to apples' were also used in the 19th century, but the expression 'apples to oranges' was the one that eventually stuck. It is thought to have arisen from the English language metaphor of comparing things to fruit, often taking 'apple' as the gold standard since it is the most commonly consumed fruit.

Usage

The phrase is often used to point out inconsistencies in arguments and debates. It is a dismissive expression, meant to imply that the comparison being made is unreasonable or absurd. It can be used to poke fun at a person's reasoning, or to put an end to a useless argument. This phrase can also be used in a more general sense, to mean that two people are just not in the same league. This can be meant to be both positive and negative: either recognizing the superior value of one thing or criticizing the inferior value of another.

Example Sentences

• "Comparing his NBA career to Michael Jordan's is like comparing apples to oranges."
• "You can't compare a sedan to a pickup truck - it's like comparing apples to oranges!"
• "She's in a different league than her classmates - you can't compare apples to oranges!"

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.