Comparing apples to oranges
The idiom “comparing apples to oranges” is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to compare two things that are completely different from each other. It’s like trying to determine which is better, apples or oranges, when they have distinct qualities and characteristics. Apples and oranges are both fruits, but they have different colors, tastes, textures, and even nutritional profiles. Apples are usually crisp and sweet or tart, while oranges are juicy and citrusy. They have different shapes, sizes, and even grow in different climates.
When we say that someone is comparing apples to oranges, we mean that they are making a comparison that doesn’t make sense because the things being compared are too different to be compared fairly or accurately. It’s like trying to say which is better, a bicycle or a car. They serve different purposes and have different features, so it’s not a fair comparison.