be strange bedfellows

be strange bedfellows

Of a pair of people, things, or groups paired together in a certain situation or activity, to be extremely different in overall characteristics, opinions, ideologies, lifestyles, behaviors, etc. The liberal comedian and the conservative pundit may be strange bedfellows, but the two are coming together all this month to bring a spotlight to suicide awareness. I thought that the two writers would be strange bedfellows, given the drastically different nature of their writing, but their books actually have a lot of parallels in terms of themes and constructs.
See also: bedfellow, strange
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be/make strange ˈbedfellows

be two very different people or things that you would not expect to find together: Art and rugby may seem strange bedfellows, but the local rugby club donated £5 000 to help fund an art exhibition.
A bedfellow is a person who shares a bed with somebody else.
See also: bedfellow, make, strange
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be/make strange bedfellows
  • bedfellow
  • make strange bedfellows
  • strange
  • make odd bedfellows
  • strange bedfellows
  • odd bedfellows
  • pair off with (someone)
  • have (something) in common (with someone or something)
  • have in common
References in periodicals archive
Mathematics and poetry would seem to be strange bedfellows, but editors Glaz (mathematics, U.
Sometimes in science, as in politics, connections arise that may at first glance appear to be strange bedfellows. That might be the natural first impression of a potential association between chemical intolerance and addiction.
Multinationals have learned that making money and being ethical appear to be strange bedfellows, but they can sleep comfortably together.