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Glite Dictionary
as different as dog and cat

as different as dog and cat

1 6.9
Very different from each other in important ways
  • idiom
  • Informal
: tan diferentes como el perro y el gato
  • Eva and Max are as different as dog and cat when it comes to their approach to problem-solving.

Examples

  • Our tastes in music are as different as dog and cat.

  • The two siblings are as different as dog and cat in their personalities.

  • Although they're twins, their personalities are as different as dog and cat.

  • Their opinions are as different as dog and cat.

  • Although they're twins, their personalities are as different as dog and cat.

  • Eva and Max are as different as dog and cat when it comes to their approach to problem-solving.

  • The two siblings are as different as dog and cat in their personalities.

Synonyms

different
vsas different as dog and cat
∞ 1.0

Not the same as another person or thing

expresses a more forceful and extreme kind of difference
unlike
vsas different as dog and cat
846 1.5

Different from another person or thing in important ways

specifies extreme and important differences rather than ordinary variation
opposite
vsas different as dog and cat
494 1.0

A word with a completely different meaning from another word

expresses being very different without implying perfect reversal
diverse
vsas different as dog and cat
253 3.4

Made of many different kinds

is about strong pairwise difference rather than general variety
distinct
vsas different as dog and cat
127 3.5

Clearly different from others

expresses strong overall difference rather than mere separateness
disparate
vsas different as dog and cat
35 7.9

Different in type so they cannot be easily compared

is about strong difference in important ways rather than strict incomparability
far cry from
vsas different as dog and cat
  • Informal
34 4.9

Very different from what you expect, often in a disappointing way

is neutral about feeling and simply marks extreme difference
incomparable
vsas different as dog and cat
19 6.0

So good or special that nothing else matches it

focuses on extreme difference but allows ordinary contrast too
dissimilar
vsas different as dog and cat
17 3.8

Different in appearance or nature

focuses on major, important differences rather than any simple dissimilarity
contrasting
vsas different as dog and cat
15 3.7

Clearly different from one another in a way you notice

means very different but can also include milder contrasts
irreconcilable
vsas different as dog and cat
11 7.7

So different that people cannot agree

shows strong contrast but not necessarily an inability to reconcile
worlds apart
vsas different as dog and cat
  • Informal
9 4.5

People or things that are very different and have nothing important in common

conveys strong difference but is usable in softer contrasts too
oil and water
vsas different as dog and cat
  • Informal
6 4.6

People or things that are completely different and do not get along

means extreme difference generally, not only refusal to mix
couldn't be more different
vsas different as dog and cat
5 5.0

Very different from each other in every way

expresses extreme difference similarly but in a fixed idiomatic way
unalike
vsas different as dog and cat
1 4.2

Not the same as each other

adds stronger sense of extreme and important difference
chalk and cheese
vsas different as dog and cat
  • UK
1 6.3

Two people or things that are completely different from each other

expresses extreme difference but applies to any contrasting pair

Antonyms

similar
∞ 1.0

Having some of the same qualities as another person or thing but not exactly the same

alike
221 1.0

Having very similar looks or qualities

How Different

as different as dog and cat
  • Informal
1 6.9
opposite
280 1.0
different
∞ 1.0
similar
∞ 1.0
identical
257 2.9

Surface Forms

as different as dog and cat positive

Morphology

as + different + as + dog + and + cat

The meaning is directly compositional: the comparative pattern 'as ... as' plus 'different' signals degree of difference, and the nouns 'dog' and 'cat' provide a clear contrasting pair. A B1 learner who knows these words and the 'as...as' construction will readily infer that the phrase means the two things are very different.

Etymology

The saying as different as dog and cat comes from the clear image of a dog and a cat acting very differently. People see dogs as friendly and social and cats as quiet and independent, so the phrase means 'very different'.