Idioms and Expressions to Show Contrast
Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. If some things or people are different and you want to describe them, you can say that they are like chalk and cheese or poles apart. Today’s lesson is highly beneficial, especially if you are preparing for tests such as FCE, CAE, IELTS, TOEFL, or simply need to write an essay. We will look at 20 idioms and expressions to show contrast.
- Apples and oranges
- Be at loggerheads
- Be out of line
- Be that as it may
- Black and white
- Chalk and cheese
- Far (cry) from
- Go against the grain
- Just (all) the same
- Night and day
- Nowhere near
- Of all stripes
- On the flip side
- On the other hand
- Other side of the coin
- Out of step
- Poles apart
- Second thought
- Still and all
- World of difference
Apples and oranges
Meaning: if we say that comparing some things is like comparing apples and oranges, we mean that these are totally different, so it makes no sense comparing them.
You can’t compare the novel with the film. It’s like comparing apples and oranges.
Be at loggerheads
Meaning: if we say that two people or groups of people are at loggerheads, we mean that they strongly disagree about something.
The teachers in our school are always at loggerheads with students about homework.
Be out of line
Meaning: to be out of line means to act opposite to what is considered acceptable behaviour.
What you are telling me is out of line with reality.
Be that as it may
Meaning: a formal phrase you can use to say that even though you accept that something is true, it won’t change the situation.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.” “Be that as it may, you did hurt my feelings.”
Black and white
Meaning: the expression shows an obvious distinction between two things. It is often used in a negative context.
Sandra saw things in black and white.
Chalk and cheese
Meaning: if two things are like chalk and cheese, they are completely different from each other.
Although they’ve been good friends since childhood, they are as different as chalk and cheese.
Far (cry) from
Meaning: to be completely different.
The hotel accommodation was a far cry from the photo on the website.
Go against the grain
Meaning: if you do something against the grain, then it is the opposite of what you would normally do.
It really goes against the grain for me to work on Sunday.
Idioms and Expressions to Show Contrast
Just (all) the same
Meaning: the phrase is used to say that it makes no difference whatever happens.
Whether Manchester United wins or loses is all the same to me.
Night and day
Meaning: the phrase is used to show an obvious difference between two things.
Your grades have improved a lot. They are like night and day from last year.
Nowhere near
Meaning: very different from.
Monica is nowhere near as tolerant as her mum.
Of all stripes
Meaning: the phrase is used to show diversity.
Members of the parliament of all stripes disagreed with the new resolution.
On the flip side
Meaning: we can use the phrase to show a different aspect of something, usually a bad one.
The workers on the oil platforms earn good money. However, on the flip side, there is nowhere to spend it.
Idioms and Expressions to Show Contrast
On the other hand
Meaning: in a different way.
My sister likes to go clubbing. I, on the other hand, prefer to stay at home at weekends.
Other side of the coin
Meaning: refers to the opposite aspect of something.
I like to wear light clothes but the other side of the coin is that all dirt is clearly visible.
Idioms and Expressions to Show Contrast
Out of step
Meaning: used to say that some people’s attitudes and ideas are different from those of some other people.
Nick was out of step with his workmates.
Poles apart
Meaning: when two people or things are totally different and have nothing in common.
Their lives, like everything else about them, were poles apart.
Second thought
Meaning: to have second thoughts means to begin to change your opinion about something.
On second thought, I think I‘d better not go out tonight. It’s too cold.
20 Idioms and Expressions to Show Contrast
Still and all
Meaning: nevertheless.
Although he didn’t write much, still and all, his novels are invaluable creations.
World of difference
Meaning: totally different.
There is a world of difference between life in the city and life in the country.
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