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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Be poles apart

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To be completely different or strongly opposed.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. The two proposals are poles apart in cost and ambition.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To be completely different or strongly opposed.
Show the answer

Be poles apart — To be completely different or strongly opposed.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Be poles apart” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

To be completely different or strongly opposed.

Compare: The two proposals are poles apart in cost and ambition.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it for very different views, personalities or approaches. It suits conversation and general writing.

More examples in context

  • My brother and I are poles apart in our taste in films.
  • At the start of the discussion, their views were poles apart.

Usage note

Say poles apart, with poles plural. You can name the area of difference with in or on; people can be poles apart on one topic and agree on others.

A short conversation

A: Do the organisers agree about the event?
B: They are poles apart on its size. One wants a small workshop, the other a festival.
A: They need to agree on the purpose first.

One more practice question

Which pair is poles apart on a plan?

A. Two people with completely opposing ideas about it.
B. Two people whose ideas are almost identical.

Check your answer

A. The expression emphasises a very large difference.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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