IdiomFood & Drink
English
Englishlike chalk and cheese
Meaning: Completely different, though perhaps similar at first glance.
Example: “The twins are like chalk and cheese: one loud, one shy.”
Origin: Chalk and a pale cheese can look alike but are nothing alike. The British comparison is found from the 14th century, in John Gower.
Equivalents in other languages
Japanese: 月とすっぽん (Tsuki to suppon) Literally: The moon and a snapping turtle
More English idioms
- blush to the roots of one's hair To go very red with embarrassment.
- not see beyond the end of one's nose To have a narrow outlook and ignore anything beyond one's immediate concerns.
- word gets around News and rumors spread quickly from person to person.
- shut the stable door after the horse has bolted To take precautions only after the harm is done.
- kick the cat To take out one's anger on someone weaker or innocent.
- right under one's nose Very close, yet unnoticed.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said the butter's bitter. A 'b / t / tt' plosive drill that bounces between Betty, butter, and bitter.
- She sells seashells by the seashore. The definitive 's' versus 'sh' alternation — the tongue has to switch place of articulati…
- Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A relentless 'p' plosive drill; a peck is an old dry measure of about nine litres.
Keep exploring