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Meaning of apples and oranges | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C1

Definitions

  1. A comparison of items that, however categorically similar, is inapt; an incompatible analogy, or the items so compared; a disanalogy.
    idiomatic, plural, plural-only
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see apples, and, oranges.
    plural, plural-only

Equivalents

Examples

“It's apples and oranges. You can't convert square meters to linear inches.”
“So on the one hand, comparing policing issues in Scotland with what is happening in England may be like comparing apples and oranges.”
“In comparing Britain with other countries, it is important to remember that we are not comparing like with like; there is an apples and oranges issue.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.

See also

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