Meanings
- idiomaticpluralplural onlyrareSynonym of apples to apples.
I think you are right in saying it was comparing oranges with oranges or apples with apples.
1940, United States, Temporary National Economic Committee, Verbatim Record of the Proceedings, Volume 10, page 6122 more examples
In other words, we suggest comparing lemons with lemons and oranges with oranges rather than as the advisory group proposal does, lemons with oranges.
1959, United States, Congress, House, Committee on Ways and Means, Advisory Group Recommendations on Subchapters C, J, and K of the Internal Revenue Code Hearings Before the Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Eighty-sixth Congress, First Session on Advisory Group Recommendations on Subchapters C, J, and K of the Internal Revenue Code, February 24, 25, 26, 27, March 2, 3, and 4, 1959, page 659If one wants to compare intentions and movements with each other, one, metaphorically speaking, compares apples with oranges rather than apples with apples and oranges with oranges.
2014, Georg Northoff, Unlocking the Brain, Volume 1: Coding, page 156Synonyms: apples to apples
Synonyms & antonyms
nounSynonym of apples to apples.
Cite this entry
oranges with oranges. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oranges%20with%20oranges
“oranges with oranges.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oranges%20with%20oranges. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “oranges with oranges,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oranges%20with%20oranges.
Source: oranges with oranges on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.