While they are those things that you mentioned, they're still not the same thing as the other.

The whole phrase is: "You can't compare apples and oranges." Or: "You're trying to compare apples and oranges." There are different standards of excellence for an apple and for an orange. An apple should be crisp, tart and tasty. An orange should be sweet and juicy. You can't try to squeeze an apple and say it isn't as good as an orange when you don't get much juice. An apple is an apple with apple qualities and an orange is an orange with orange qualities. Illustrating the point that most people don't know what the phrase means. They just use it to dismiss comparisons they don't agree with.They just use it to dismiss comparisons they don't agree with. http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/27/messages/1137.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/53/messages/375.html "Apples and oranges" refers to the idiom "comparing apples and oranges" or "apples to oranges", which is used to indicate that two items or groups of items have not been validly compared. The idiom evokes the apparent differences between items which are popularly thought to be incomparable or incommensurable, such as apples and oranges. The idiom may also be used to indicate that a false analogy has been made between two items, such as where an "apple" is faulted for not being a good "orange." Conversely, where the comparison or analogy is valid, the idiom will usually take the form "comparing apples with apples". The idiom is not unique to English. For example, in Quebec French it may take the form "comparer des pommes avec des oranges" while in Latin American Spanish usually is "comparar papas y boniatos" or "comparar peras con manzanas." In some other languages the term for "orange" derives from "apple", suggesting not only that a direct comparison between the two is possible, but that it is implicitly present in their names. Fruit other than apples and oranges can also be compared; for example, apples and pears are compared in Danish, Dutch, German, Swedish, Czech, and Turkish. However, apples are actually more closely related to pears — both are rosaceae — than to oranges. In fact, in Spain, it is often said, '"sumar peras y manzanas", that is, "to add up apples and pears". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparing_apples_to_oranges http://brainstorm-services.com/dccc-comp1/apples-oranges.html Value-based sourcing seeks differentiation, not commonality – comparing apples with oranges – which is different to how most buyers source today. http://www.cpoagenda.com/previous-articles/winter-2006-7/comparing-apples-with-oranges/ Comparing homeschooling to “public schooling” is like comparing apples to oranges. However, despite their similarities, to continue to connect them any further would be pointless; as its obvious apples and oranges are not the same things. Even though people willingly accept that apples and oranges are different, it amazes me that just because the word “school” is used in both homeschooling and public schooling, that they are viewed as “the same” when they’re really as different as apples and oranges! The problem begins when those possessing a “public school mentality” ask a homeschooler to explain “apples” to them who have only seen and tasted “oranges”. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DandelionSeeds/76585/ Humans have the same basic instincts as other living beings - food, sleep and sexual urge. These instincts are built into the genes of all living beings. Even if it is so, how can you compare humans with animals?

Try making a pie with oranges and you'll see the difference. However, I usually say "that's like comparing chipmunks and oranges"..gets the point across better. :)

I have a lot in common with women but I am not a woman. Get it?

im a nut and my brothers a fruit... but we fight like cats and dogs... apparently we are the same considering your point of view