ENGLISH
REFERENCE

apples to apples

idiom
Meaning

A comparison of items that are similar.


Examples
SIMPLE

We need to compare apples to apples to see which phone is better.

CONTEXTUAL

To make a fair decision, we must ensure we are comparing apples to apples when looking at these two job offers.

COMPLEX

The researchers struggled to draw a valid conclusion because the data sets were not apples to apples, making a direct comparison between the two groups impossible.

Anchors to
Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    apples and oranges

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

  2. 02

    apples to apples, oranges to oranges

    A comparison of items that are similar, while also acknowledging or distinguishing a separation of their sets or categories.

  3. 03

    mix apples and oranges

    To mix or confuse two completely different objects or ideas.

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