like chalk and cheese

like chalk and cheese

Very different from one another; totally or nearly opposite in nature. Good luck getting those two to talk to each other—they're like chalk and cheese. My daughters are like chalk and cheese these days—one loves baseball and the other loves ballet.
See also: and, chalk, cheese, like
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

like chalk and cheese

or

chalk and cheese

BRITISH
If two people or things are like chalk and cheese or are chalk and cheese, they are completely different from each other. Marianne and Ellis are like chalk and cheese. She's very serious and studious while he's sporty and sociable. Our relationship works because we are very aware of our differences, we accept that we are chalk and cheese.
See also: and, chalk, cheese, like
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • be chalk and cheese
  • chalk
  • (as) different as chalk and cheese
  • as different as chalk and cheese
  • good luck
  • Good luck!
  • good luck with (something)
  • chalk one up for (someone)
  • different
  • as luck would have it
References in periodicals archive
PETER KAY'S CAR SHARE (BBC1, 9.30pm) THROWN together for their daily commute thanks to the horror of a company car share scheme, John and Kayleigh are like chalk and cheese. Chalk and cheese that are trapped together in a metal box twice a day in traffic.
WE LOVE COMEDY
WE LOVE COMEDY PETER KAY'S CAR SHARE (BBC1, 9.30pm) THROWN together for their daily commute thanks to the horror of a company car share scheme, John and Kayleigh are like chalk and cheese. Chalk and cheese that are trapped together in a metal box twice a day in traffic.
WE LOVE COMEDY
Meanwhile Val plans to dump Ian after finally realising they're like chalk and cheese. David overhears and quickly tells Pollard, who hopes he may have a chance with her after all.
SOAPS
I think we get on so well because we're like chalk and cheese.
WHO'S LEFT FOR JAMES TO RYLE?
While a rugby fan and a golf addict here are like chalk and cheese, what unites them -- quite literally -- is the length they can go to enjoy their favourite sport.
United colours of the UAE sports fans
Denis Stracqualursi and Drenthe are like chalk and cheese, but they are what the team and the crowd have needed to bring Everton's season back to life.
Drenthe breathing new life into Blues
Like chalk and cheese, he's sensitive and emotionally vulnerable while she's loud, brash and swears like a trooper.
Edgy premise marred by mushiness Mortuary drama is just dead slow stuff
"Sir Alan and I were like chalk and cheese and I felt like a fish out of water if you'll excuse the pun."
uk news bulletin: Sugar wasn't sweet on would-be lawyer
However, Lingfield and Southwell are like chalk and cheese and, while he enjoyed grinding it out on the Fibresand, he has never looked at ease here.
Horse Racing: BEHIND ENEMY LINES; PRICEWISE
I just mean that shoes and I are like chalk and cheese. Although, has anyone ever eaten chalk and cheese?
TAKE A STAND
WITH BREAKFAST'S DAN & KATY Tinie and Ellie Wonder team TINIE Tempah and Ellie Goulding seem like an odd pairing for new single Wonderman - a little like chalk and cheese. But what do you get when you put two Brit award-winners together?
SPIN CITY WITH BREAKFAST'S DAN & KATY [...]
They were raised with an identical set of rules, in the same household - but their personalities are now like chalk and cheese.
I wouldn't dream of saying it's all nurture
It's true that Stan and Ken are like chalk and cheese. I feel reassured knowing that Stan is happy for me.
Women: YourLIFE - GET IN TOUCH - I worry over my new love; SPIRIT & FATE
Trainer Len Lungo said: "They are like chalk and cheese. If you barely get the trip, you get it at Kempton, but at Carlisle you need to stay half a mile further.
Racing: Carlisle briefing - Carlisle and Kempton are poles apart - and there's 300 miles in between
They may be like chalk and cheese but Kris Marshall and Amanda Donohoe loved working together
Television: I worry if they'll take to Nick playing a cop; PICK OF THE WEEK Murder City (ITV, Thursday at 9pm) My Family (BBC1, Friday at 8.30pm)