ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mix apples and oranges

idiom
Meaning

To mix or confuse two completely different objects or ideas.


Examples
SIMPLE

You cannot compare them; you are mixing apples and oranges.

CONTEXTUAL

Comparing the salary of a teacher to that of a CEO is like mixing apples and oranges.

COMPLEX

The analyst argued that evaluating the company's long-term growth against short-term market fluctuations was essentially mixing apples and oranges.

Anchors to
Related idioms6entries
  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

    A comparison of items that are similar.

  3. 03

    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.

  4. 04

    mix it up

    To compete vigorously, to quarrel, or to fight physically.

  5. 05

    mix up

    To mix or blend thoroughly and completely.

  6. 06

    oranges with oranges

    Synonym of apples to apples.

© 2026 English Reference