Idioms are special phrases that mean something different from the actual words inside them. People use them to make speaking and writing more colorful, fun, and easy to picture. In this guide, you will learn fifty different idioms that deal with comparing things.
In this lesson, we’ll look at Idioms that mean showing how things are alike or different. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Comparison
1. As like as two peas in a pod
Definition: Said of two people or things that are completely identical and very hard to tell apart.
Used in a Sentence: The twin brothers act the same way and are as like as two peas in a pod. / Those two new smart phones look as like as two peas in a pod.
Similar Expressions: Spitting image / Identical twins
2. Chalk and cheese
Definition: Used to describe two things or people that are completely different from each other.
Used in a Sentence: Even though they are sisters, their personalities are like chalk and cheese. / My favorite music style and my brother’s taste are chalk and cheese.
Similar Expressions: Night and day / Apples and oranges
3. Cut from the same cloth
Definition: Having very similar qualities, backgrounds, or behaviors as someone else.
Used in a Sentence: Both young basketball players are cut from the same cloth and love to practice. / The two inventors are cut from the same cloth because they love solving puzzles.
Similar Expressions: Two of a kind / Alike as twins
4. Apples and oranges
Definition: Two things that are completely different and cannot be fairly compared.
Used in a Sentence: Comparing a fast bicycle to a heavy truck is like comparing apples and oranges. / Trying to judge a painting by the same rules as a song is apples and oranges.
Similar Expressions: Different worlds / Not in the same league
5. In a different league
Definition: Much better or operating on a totally different level of skill than someone else.
Used in a Sentence: When it comes to playing the piano, she is in a different league than everyone else. / Our local soccer team is good, but the professional champions are in a different league.
Similar Expressions: Head and shoulders above / Miles ahead
6. Night and day
Definition: Showing a very clear and obvious difference between two things.
Used in a Sentence: The weather yesterday was rainy, but today it is sunny, which is a difference of night and day. / His behavior at school compared to his quiet behavior at home is night and day.
Similar Expressions: Worlds apart / Completely opposite
7. Head and shoulders above
Definition: Being much better or superior when compared to others in a group.
Used in a Sentence: Her science fair project was head and shoulders above all the other entries. / Our team captain is head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to leadership.
Similar Expressions: A cut above the rest / The cream of the crop
8. Six of one and half a dozen of the other
Definition: Two choices or situations that are completely equal with no real difference.
Used in a Sentence: Whether we walk to the park or take the bus, it is six of one and half a dozen of the other. / Choosing between the blue shirt and the green shirt is six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Similar Expressions: Exactly the same / No real difference
9. On a par with
Definition: Being equal in quality, value, or level to something else.
Used in a Sentence: The new local bakery’s cookies are on a par with the famous downtown shop. / My drawing skills are on a par with my friend’s painting skills.
Similar Expressions: On the same level / Equal to
10. Run neck and neck
Definition: To be very close to equal in a race, contest, or comparison.
Used in a Sentence: The two runners were running neck and neck as they neared the finish line. / Both candidates for class president ran neck and neck until the final vote.
Similar Expressions: Neck in neck / Tied up
11. A drop in the ocean
Definition: A very small amount compared to a much larger whole.
Used in a Sentence: The money we raised for the new library books is just a drop in the ocean. / My single toy donation felt like a drop in the ocean compared to the massive pile.
Similar Expressions: A drop in the bucket / A tiny fraction
12. Worlds apart
Definition: Having completely different opinions, lifestyles, or qualities when compared.
Used in a Sentence: Although they grew up in the same town, their adult careers put them worlds apart. / Their ideas on how to plan the class party were worlds apart.
Similar Expressions: Poles apart / Miles apart
13. Second to none
Definition: The absolute best when compared to all others in quality or skill.
Used in a Sentence: My grandmother’s homemade apple pie is second to none. / Their school library has a collection of adventure books that is second to none.
Similar Expressions: The very best / Unmatched
14. Pale in comparison
Definition: To look much less impressive or important when placed next to something else.
Used in a Sentence: My old bicycle pales in comparison to my brand new mountain bike. / Small local fireworks pale in comparison to the grand city celebration.
Similar Expressions: Take a back seat / Look weak next to
15. Catch up to
Definition: To reach the same level or standard as someone else after starting behind.
Used in a Sentence: I had to study hard to catch up to the top math students in my class. / The younger runner managed to catch up to the leader near the end.
Similar Expressions: Reach the level / Equalize with
16. Measure up to
Definition: To be good enough or reach the required standard of comparison.
Used in a Sentence: My attempt at baking bread did not measure up to the bakery loaf. / The sequel movie did not measure up to the original classic film.
Similar Expressions: Pass muster / Come up to standard
17. Two sides of the same coin
Definition: Two different aspects or opinions that belong to the exact same situation.
Used in a Sentence: Working hard and resting well are two sides of the same coin for success. / Excitement and nervousness before a big test are two sides of the same coin.
Similar Expressions: Interconnected ideas / Dual aspects
18. Match made in heaven
Definition: A pair of people or things that fit together perfectly when compared or combined.
Used in a Sentence: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a match made in heaven. / My new puppy and my older dog are a match made in heaven.
Similar Expressions: Perfect fit / Ideal pairing
19. Stand head and shoulders
Definition: Standing out clearly as superior when compared to peers.
Used in a Sentence: His honesty in the game made him stand head and shoulders above everyone. / That historical novel stands head and shoulders above the other fiction books.
Similar Expressions: Excel greatly / Outshine all
20. Like comparing apples and peaches
Definition: Comparing two things that have minor similarities but are fundamentally different.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to compare a cat to a dog is like comparing apples and peaches. / Looking at two different types of painting styles is like comparing apples and peaches.
Similar Expressions: Similar but different / Distinct categories
21. A far cry from
Definition: Very different from and much worse or better than something else.
Used in a Sentence: My small tree house is a far cry from a real two-story home. / The sunny afternoon was a far cry from the stormy morning.
Similar Expressions: Nothing like / Totally different from
22. In the same ballpark
Definition: Being close enough in comparison or estimation to be reasonable.
Used in a Sentence: My guess for the number of jellybeans was not exact, but it was in the same ballpark. / The price of the used bicycle is in the same ballpark as my budget.
Similar Expressions: Close estimate / Roughly similar
23. Cast a long shadow
Definition: To be so much better or more important that everything else compares poorly.
Used in a Sentence: The former champion skater cast a long shadow over the new competitors. / The legacy of the old school building cast a long shadow on the new design.
Similar Expressions: Overshadow / Dominate the field
24. Look like two drops of water
Definition: Looking completely identical to each other upon close comparison.
Used in a Sentence: The twin kittens look like two drops of water playing in the yard. / Those two green leaves look like two drops of water.
Similar Expressions: Look identical / Dead ringers
25. Leave in the dust
Definition: To perform so much better in a comparison that the other person is far behind.
Used in a Sentence: Our star runner left all the other racers in the dust. / The newest computer model left older machines in the dust for speed.
Similar Expressions: Leave far behind / Outpace completely
26. Fit like a glove
Definition: To fit or match a situation or size perfectly.
Used in a Sentence: My new winter mittens fit like a glove. / The new school rule fit the safety guidelines like a glove.
Similar Expressions: Perfect match / Tailor-made
27. On a different planet
Definition: So completely different or far advanced that comparison is silly.
Used in a Sentence: The advanced robotics project was on a different planet compared to our simple models. / His video game high score is on a different planet than mine.
Similar Expressions: Light years ahead / In a league of its own
28. Cut out for
Definition: Having the right qualities or nature to compare favorably to a specific role.
Used in a Sentence: My older brother is truly cut out for working as a park ranger. / I am not really cut out for running long marathon races.
Similar Expressions: Suited for / Made for
29. Run circles around
Definition: To be vastly superior and perform much better than someone else in a comparison.
Used in a Sentence: Our debate team ran circles around the opposing school. / My grandfather can run circles around me in solving crossword puzzles.
Similar Expressions: Outclass easily / Run rings around
30. A different kettle of fish
Definition: A completely different subject or situation when compared to the current one.
Used in a Sentence: Riding a bicycle is easy, but driving a car is a completely different kettle of fish. / Math homework is simple, but writing a story is a different kettle of fish.
Similar Expressions: Whole new ballgame / Different story
31. Not holding a candle to
Definition: Being vastly inferior in quality or skill when compared to someone or something.
Used in a Sentence: My quick sketches do not hold a candle to professional portraits. / Plastic toy swords do not hold a candle to real metal tools.
Similar Expressions: Inferior to / Not nearly as good
32. Apples to apples
Definition: Making a fair comparison between two identical or very similar things.
Used in a Sentence: To choose the best car, we need an apples to apples price check. / Let us do an apples to apples test on these two computer processors.
Similar Expressions: Fair comparison / Direct contrast
33. Of the same feather
Definition: People or things that share very similar characteristics or traits.
Used in a Sentence: Those two artists are birds of a feather when it comes to creative painting. / The mischievous puppies are birds of the same feather.
Similar Expressions: Birds of a feather / Alike in character
34. Mirror image
Definition: Being an exact visual copy or equivalent of something else.
Used in a Sentence: Her painting of the garden was a mirror image of the real flowers. / The new playground layout is a mirror image of the old park design.
Similar Expressions: Exact reflection / Perfect copy
35. Out of the running
Definition: No longer being a valid option or competitor in a comparison.
Used in a Sentence: After losing the semifinal game, our team was out of the running for the trophy. / That broken bicycle is out of the running for our trip.
Similar Expressions: Disqualified / Out of contention
36. Stack up against
Definition: To compare how well someone or something performs relative to another.
Used in a Sentence: Let us see how my homemade kite stacks up against yours in the wind. / How does your favorite book stack up against this new mystery story?
Similar Expressions: Compare with / Measure against
37. Face to face
Definition: Comparing or dealing with two opposing things directly.
Used in a Sentence: We brought the two samples face to face to check their colors. / Standing face to face with the challenge helped me understand it better.
Similar Expressions: Directly compared / Side by side
38. Hand in glove
Definition: Working together in close harmony or matching closely.
Used in a Sentence: The rhythm and the melody went together hand in glove in the song. / The police department and community worked hand in glove for safety.
Similar Expressions: Closely matched / Perfectly joined
39. Cut above
Definition: Being slightly better or higher in quality than others.
Used in a Sentence: This brand of colored pencils is a cut above the standard store brand. / Our local community center is a cut above ordinary parks.
Similar Expressions: Superior to / Better than
40. True to life
Definition: Accurately matching real life in a comparison or description.
Used in a Sentence: The statue of the horse looked so true to life that it seemed real. / That movie about space travel was surprisingly true to life.
Similar Expressions: Realistic / Lifelike
41. Run parallel
Definition: Comparing two things that share the same direction, path, or quality without meeting.
Used in a Sentence: Their ideas for the school project ran parallel to each other. / The bicycle path and the river run parallel for miles.
Similar Expressions: Side by side / Aligned
42. Cut the mustard
Definition: To reach the required level of comparison or performance.
Used in a Sentence: My old sneakers did not cut the mustard for the long hiking trip. / If your report does not cut the mustard, you can rewrite it.
Similar Expressions: Make the grade / Pass the test
43. Rise above
Definition: To perform much better than expected in comparison to others.
Used in a Sentence: She managed to rise above the tough competition in the spelling bee. / Our team chose to rise above the difficult challenge.
Similar Expressions: Overcome odds / Excel past
44. Of a piece
Definition: Being consistent and matching well with previous examples or standards.
Used in a Sentence: His latest painting is entirely of a piece with his earlier artwork. / The school rules are all of a piece with the safety code.
Similar Expressions: Consistent / Uniform
45. On equal footing
Definition: Comparing two parties who share the exact same advantages or status.
Used in a Sentence: Both players started the chess match on equal footing. / The new workers joined the team on equal footing.
Similar Expressions: Level playing field / Equal status
46. Cut corners
Definition: Doing something less thoroughly, which shows up poorly when compared to quality work.
Used in a Sentence: If you cut corners on your science project, it will not look as good. / Building a model house requires patience and no cutting corners.
Similar Expressions: Take shortcuts / Rush work
47. Match stride for stride
Definition: Keeping up equally with a competitor during a comparison or race.
Used in a Sentence: The younger cyclist matched stride for stride with the veteran racer. / Both students matched stride for stride in solving math problems.
Similar Expressions: Keep pace / Stay level
48. Cut down to size
Definition: To prove that someone or something is not as great as they claim in a comparison.
Used in a Sentence: Losing the quiz game cut the boastful team down to size. / A humbling defeat can cut anyone down to size.
Similar Expressions: Humble someone / Bring down to earth
49. Strike a balance
Definition: Comparing two opposing things and finding a fair middle point.
Used in a Sentence: We need to strike a balance between studying and playing video games. / Good cooks strike a balance between sweet and savory flavors.
Similar Expressions: Find the middle ground / Equalize choices
50. Out of this world
Definition: So amazing that it cannot be compared to normal things on Earth.
Used in a Sentence: My mother’s homemade vegetable soup is out of this world. / The view of the mountains from the cabin was out of this world.
Similar Expressions: Incredible / Astounding
Exercise to Practice
- The twin sisters look as like as two peas in a pod because they share the exact same smile.
- Comparing a tiny toy car to a giant passenger airplane is like comparing chalk and cheese.
- My older brother and I have personalities that are night and day, since we both act completely identical.
- Her science project was head and shoulders above all the other entries in the school gym.
- Whether we eat pizza or tacos for dinner tonight is six of one and half a dozen of the other.
- My drawing skills are on a par with a professional artist who has painted for fifty years.
- The two speedy sprinters ran neck and neck all the way to the finish line.
- The small handful of coins I found in my pocket is a drop in the ocean compared to the school budget.
- My old wooden bicycle is a far cry from my brand new racing bicycle.
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a match made in heaven for a quick school lunch.
- My quick pencil sketches do not hold a candle to the detailed portraits in the art gallery.
- Those two green leaves look like two drops of water floating on the pond.
- Riding a simple bicycle is the exact same thing as driving a heavy truck, which is a different kettle of fish.
- My mother’s delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies are second to none.
- Trying to compare a house cat to a wild lion is like comparing apples and apples.
Answer Key
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
Conclusion
Learning these comparison idioms helps you describe how things are similar or different in creative ways. Using these phrases makes your everyday speaking and writing much more colorful and fun to read.
Try picking one new comparison idiom each day and use it when talking to your friends or family. You will quickly see how much more interesting your conversations become.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for comparison in English?
Some very common comparison idioms include chalk and cheese, night and day, and two peas in a pod. People use these expressions every day to show how two things are alike or totally different.
Why do we use idioms to compare things?
Idioms help paint a clear picture in the listener’s mind instead of using plain, boring words. They make comparisons more descriptive and memorable for everyone.
How can I learn these comparison idioms faster?
The best way to learn them is by practicing one or two phrases in a sentence each day. Writing your own stories or talking with friends helps lock the meanings in your memory.
Are comparison idioms used in casual or formal writing?
Most comparison idioms are great for casual conversations, stories, and friendly letters. In very strict scientific writing, people usually prefer plain factual words instead.
Can two different idioms have the exact same meaning?
Yes, many idioms share similar meanings, such as chalk and cheese and night and day both describing two things that are totally opposite. Learning pairs of similar phrases gives you more choices when you speak.
