Apples and oranges means two things too different to be compared fairly. That is apples and oranges.
It is used to stop a comparison rather than to make one. Saying apples and oranges is sometimes fair and is sometimes a way of dodging the point.
1phraseapples and orangesTwo things too different to be compared fairly.
“Comparing the two salaries is apples and oranges without the hours.”
apples and oranges is a phrase.
Practised in Idioms