Meaning & use
apples to apples
Last updated
Meaning
phraseidiomfigurative
Of a comparison between two things that are similar enough to be judged fairly against each other.
Grammar: Often before a noun with hyphens: an apples-to-apples comparison.
Patterns
- compare apples to apples
- an apples-to-apples comparison
To judge the two phones fairly, we need an apples-to-apples comparison of price and battery life.
Comparing a hospital to a private clinic is not apples to apples.
The report compares apples to apples by using the same test for every school.
Common combinations
- compare apples to apples
- Let's compare apples to apples and use the same dates.
- an apples-to-apples comparison
- An apples-to-apples comparison shows the second plan is cheaper.
- apples to apples basis
- Both offers must be judged on an apples to apples basis.
- not apples to apples
- The two salaries are not apples to apples because of benefits.
- make it apples to apples
- Convert everything to dollars to make it apples to apples.
Synonyms and how they differ
- like for like
- Like for like is the British equivalent and means the same thing.
- fair comparison
- Fair comparison is the plain, neutral description of the same idea.
- level playing field
- A level playing field is about equal conditions or rules, not about comparing items.
Opposites
Word family
- apple noun
- a round fruit
- compare verb
- to examine how things are alike or different
- comparison noun
- the act of comparing
- comparable adjective
- similar enough to be compared
Commonly confused: apples to apples or apples and oranges?
apples to apples vs apples and oranges
Comparing apples and oranges means comparing things that are too different, the opposite of apples to apples.
Practice
To make a fair comparison between the two cars, we should use the same fuel price for both and compare ___.
Choose one answer.
Apples to apples means comparing similar things on equal terms. Apples to oranges is the opposite and means comparing unlike things.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “apples to apples”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.