The idiom "poles apart" means completely different or opposite. The word "poles" refers to the North and South poles of the Earth, which are approximately 12,424 miles apart. The /oʊ/ sound in "poles" is spelled with the letter combination "o-e," while the /a/ sound in "apart" is spelled with the letter "a." The word "apart" is pronounced as /əˈpɑːt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The phrase "poles apart" emphasizes the extent of the difference between two things or people.
The phrase "poles apart" is an idiomatic expression used to describe two ideas, opinions, or individuals that are extremely different or contradictory to each other. The term originated from the literal interpretation of "poles," which are the two opposite ends of the Earth (North and South poles) that are furthest apart.
When applied to a metaphorical context, "poles apart" signifies a significant distance or divergence between two concepts, viewpoints, or people. It highlights the extreme differences that exist, emphasizing the vast contrast in opinions, perspectives, characteristics, or interests. It emphasizes the distinctness and incompatibility of the entities being compared, often suggesting that their dissimilarity is so great that they are unlikely to reconcile or find common ground.
For example, one could say that the political ideologies of communism and capitalism are poles apart, indicating the fundamental opposition between the two systems. Similarly, this phrase can be used to describe individuals who have contrasting personalities, beliefs, or values, illustrating the pronounced discrepancy between them. It is commonly employed in conversations, debates, comparisons, or situations where the inherent contrast between two entities needs to be emphasized or highlighted.
Overall, "poles apart" serves as a vivid metaphorical expression to vividly convey the stark contrast or divergence between ideas, opinions, or individuals, emphasizing their opposing nature and lack of alignment.
The phrase "poles apart" is an idiomatic expression that means two things or people are very different or have completely opposite views, positions, or opinions. It is often used to highlight extreme differences or contrasts between two entities.
In terms of etymology, "poles apart" draws its origin from two different sources: the usage of "poles" to refer to opposite sides or extremes, and the word "apart".
The use of "poles" in this context comes from the concept of Earth's poles - the North Pole and the South Pole, which are located at opposite ends of the planet. In this case, "poles" symbolizes the furthest points or extremes of a particular spectrum or range.
Meanwhile, "apart" is an adverb that means separated or at a distance from each other. The word carries the idea of being far away or disconnected from another object or entity.