poles apart

poles apart

1. Very different or opposite in behavior or beliefs. My sister and I are very close now, but we were poles apart growing up and fought all the time. They make such an unlikely couple—though they are poles apart in many ways, they complement each other really well.
2. In total opposition. Unfortunately, the two sides are still poles apart in their negotiations. They agreed to tackle the issue together, even though they remained poles apart.
See also: apart, pole
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*poles apart

very different; far from coming to an agreement. (Alludes to the distance between the north and south poles. *Typically: be ~; become ~; grow ~.) Mr. and Mrs. Jones don't get along well. They are poles apart. They'll never sign the contract because they are poles apart.
See also: apart, pole
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

poles apart

In complete opposition, as in The two brothers were poles apart in nearly all their views. This expression alludes to the two extremities of the earth's axis, the North and South poles. [Early 1900s]
See also: apart, pole
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

poles apart

COMMON If two people, ideas, or situations are poles apart, they are very different. In social and political terms, the two men were poles apart. The final goals of both sides are poles apart and the negotiations will be tough. Note: The reference here is to the north and south poles.
See also: apart, pole
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • be poles apart
  • be poles/worlds apart
  • apart
  • pole
  • go to the stake
  • like breeds like
  • play the game
  • play the game, to
  • buttoned-up
  • twinkie
References in periodicals archive
The workmen in Poles Apart are pitched against the kind of people who say they want to love 'the man in the street' - what happens, then, when they are difficult to love?" "I love bringing new plays to Liverpool.
John's building his audience with free show
Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell says it would be "completely pointless" for him to meet the county's chief fire officer Brian Hesler, as they are poles apart on the controversial, pounds 10m reforms.
MP snubs meeting with fire chief
A report forecasting minimal environmental impact has been dismissed by bird watchers who say their evidence is poles apart from that.
Evening Gazette Opinion
Men and women are poles apart when it comes to defining the perfect feminine form, the survey suggested.
Men want Bridget, not skinny Geri
Their poles apart privilege was predictable but what was most evident wasn't the education plenty of cash can buy, but the confidence that comes with knowing you'll always be alright.
THE haves and have-nots
The clubs are also poles apart in terms of form, Thunder having lost their last five while the Roughyeds have won six of their last eight.
Thunder recruits are set to start; @]f; '`h]@`
WHEN, some 21 years ago, the 'Poles Apart' programme first started on BBC radio for Coventry and Warwickshire, the Polish community in the station's catchment area numbered some 40,000.
Why scrap Polish radio programme? letters@coventrytelegraph.net Letters letters@coventrytelegraph.net
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said the poor run will end, tipping his boys to land a 1-0 shock tonight, but RPSPORT is firmly in the English camp at 21-20 as Roy's boys can continue to show they are poles apart from a team they have routinely beaten in previous campaigns.
POLEPOS ITION; Three Lions can extendr uno f success against familiarf oes
The two sisters are poles apart and can't stand each other.
Chick Lit; Girls' night in
The sexy adaptation, as apparent from the trailer, is poles apart from the original film, which followed the hilarious trio as they told jokes and got themselves into sticky situations, the Daily mail reported.
Kate Upton plays raunchy nun in sexy adaptation of 'The Three Stooges'
THE consultation for the controversial Local Development Framework has come to an end with both sides still poles apart. A Kirklees Council official and councillor today insist they need to come up with a long-term plan now to build up to 26,200 homes in the area by 2028 and it is vital to earmark where they should be built to stop more land being at risk of development.
Poles apart
Poles apart: Jousting knights will be bringing medieval merriment to Warwick Castle.
Battle stations at castle
AS far as Midland bosses are concerned, they are Poles apart.
Snday Mercury SAYS: Pole-axed Brits
I agree with James A Barry (Viewpoints Thursday, August 31) that politics and principles are poles apart. Young politicians may start out with high principles but how quickly they learn from their elders.
Viewpoints Principles? I don't think so
DANCER Debbie Ash aims to prove she's poles apart when it comes to keeping Scots women fit and trim.
Dancing fit; EXCLUSIVE