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.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You cannot compare these cars; it is apples to apples, oranges to oranges.”
“When analyzing the sales data, we must separate the retail and wholesale sectors to ensure we are comparing apples to apples, oranges to oranges.”
“To reach a fair conclusion regarding the two different economic models, the researchers insisted on comparing apples to apples, oranges to oranges, rather than conflating disparate variables.”
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apple of someone's eye
The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.
- 02
apple polisher
A sycophant; a toady.
- 03
apples and oranges
A comparison of items that, however categorically similar, is inapt; an incompatible analogy, or the items so compared; a disanalogy.
- 04
apples to apples
A comparison of items that are similar.
- 05
bad apple
A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy, especially one who has an adverse influence on others.
- 06
mix apples and oranges
To mix or confuse two completely different objects or ideas.
- 07
orange wine
A type of wine made from white wine grapes whose skins are not removed.
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oranges with oranges
Synonym of apples to apples.
Last updated August 10, 2026