These idioms help bring ordinary conversations to life, making language more expressive and easy to picture.
Instead of saying two people look alike, someone might say they’re like two peas in a pod.
Or when something feels totally opposite, they might describe it as as different as night and day.
Idioms for Comparison
1. Like two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two people who are very similar in appearance or behavior.
Usage:
Those twins are like two peas in a pod.
My best friend and I are like two peas in a pod — we even finish each other’s sentences.
2. As different as night and day
Meaning: Completely different or opposite.
Usage:
My sister and I are as different as night and day.
The two proposals are as different as night and day.
3. A chip off the old block
Meaning: Someone who is very similar to their parent, especially in behavior or character.
Usage:
He’s a real chip off the old block — just like his dad.
You can tell she’s a chip off the old block when she talks about business.
4. Cut from the same cloth
Meaning: Very similar in character, style, or behavior.
Usage:
Those two politicians are cut from the same cloth.
You and your brother are cut from the same cloth — both hardworking and kind.
5. Apples and oranges
Meaning: Two things that are completely different and shouldn’t be compared.
Usage:
You can’t compare poetry to math — they’re apples and oranges.
Comparing those two jobs is like comparing apples and oranges.
6. Like oil and water
Meaning: Two people or things that do not mix well together.
Usage:
They’re like oil and water — always arguing about something.
Politics and family gatherings mix like oil and water.
7. Like chalk and cheese
Meaning: Completely different or opposite (more common in British English but also used in the U.S.).
Usage:
My roommates are like chalk and cheese.
Those two cars may look similar, but they’re like chalk and cheese in performance.
8. As alike as two drops of water
Meaning: Exactly alike; identical.
Usage:
The twins are as alike as two drops of water.
Those logos are as alike as two drops of water — almost impossible to tell apart.
9. Like night and day
Meaning: Showing a major difference or transformation.
Usage:
Her confidence now is like night and day compared to last year.
The before-and-after photos were like night and day.
10. Like comparing apples to apples
Meaning: Comparing things that are actually similar or equivalent.
Usage:
When we compare test scores, we need to make sure we’re comparing apples to apples.
This study compares apples to apples by using the same conditions for both groups.
11. Like a square peg in a round hole
Meaning: A person or thing that doesn’t fit into a particular situation.
Usage:
He’s like a square peg in a round hole at that job.
That modern painting looks like a square peg in a round hole in this old house.
12. Worlds apart
Meaning: Very different in beliefs, opinions, or lifestyles.
Usage:
They’re worlds apart in how they view success.
Our approaches to problem-solving are worlds apart.
13. As cool as a cucumber
Meaning: Very calm and composed, even in stressful situations.
Usage:
She stayed as cool as a cucumber during the interview.
He’s as cool as a cucumber when everyone else is panicking.
14. Like a fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place.
Usage:
I felt like a fish out of water at that fancy party.
He’s like a fish out of water when he’s not near the ocean.
15. As stubborn as a mule
Meaning: Extremely stubborn or unwilling to change one’s mind.
Usage:
He’s as stubborn as a mule when it comes to admitting he’s wrong.
My daughter can be as stubborn as a mule sometimes.
16. Like cats and dogs
Meaning: To fight or argue constantly.
Usage:
Those two are always fighting like cats and dogs.
My kids get along now, but they used to fight like cats and dogs.
17. As easy as pie
Meaning: Very easy to do.
Usage:
That exam was as easy as pie.
Cooking this recipe is as easy as pie.
18. Like looking for a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Something that’s extremely hard to find.
Usage:
Finding my phone in this messy room is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
It’s like finding a needle in a haystack trying to locate that document.
19. As busy as a bee
Meaning: Extremely busy and active.
Usage:
She’s been as busy as a bee preparing for the wedding.
I’ve been as busy as a bee all week with deadline.
20. Like a bull in a china shop
Meaning: Someone clumsy or careless in a delicate situation.
Usage:
He’s like a bull in a china shop when handling negotiations.
Don’t let him de
corate — he’s a bull in a china shop!
21. As blind as a bat
Meaning: Having very poor eyesight or awareness.
Usage:
Without my glasses, I’m as blind as a bat.
He walked right past me — as blind as a bat!
