# comparing apples to oranges

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/comparing-apples-to-oranges
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

Comparing two things that cannot be compared

## Examples

- You are comparing apples to oranges because these two cars are totally different.
- Trying to decide between a quiet beach holiday and a busy city trip is like comparing apples to oranges.
- The critic argued that comparing the low-budget indie film to a major studio blockbuster was simply comparing apples to oranges given their different goals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.