Apples to Oranges

The phrase "apples to oranges" is a very common phrase which means that two things are too different to be compared.

For example, you might compare two forms of transportation, say, a taxi and an airplane. The problem with the comparison is that these methods of transport are very different. Taxis will pick you up just about anywhere, but airplanes are flown between airports. Taxis will pick you up at almost any time of night or day, but airplanes fly on a fixed schedule and far less often. Is it clear that comparing taxis to airplanes is like comparing "apples to oranges?"

Comparing airplanes to trains is a better "apples to apples" comparison. That's right, you can say "apples to apples" to show that you think a comparison was a good one.

Now, I can understand if you're a bit confused about why we use apples and oranges in the saying. After all, they're both small fruits that grow on trees. They don't seem that different. I suppose the idea is that if you want to buy apples, you want to compare the apples at one shop with apples from a different so, or perhaps with a different variety of apples at the same fruit stand.

Now ya know!