as different as clouds and mud; worlds apart
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to be as different as clouds and mud; to be worlds apart
formalUsed to describe a vast, qualitative difference between two things (e.g., ability, quality, status). Formal/literary register. It is also expressed as '判若天渊' (pàn ruò tiān yuān).
Zhè这
liǎng两
xiōng兄
dì弟
de的
xìng性
gé格
pàn判
ruò若
yún云
ní泥
，
yī一
gè个
wài外
xiàng向
，
yī一
gè个
nèi内
xiàng向
。
The personalities of these two brothers are worlds apart—one is outgoing, the other is introverted.
Gǎi改
gé革
qián前
hòu后
de的
shēng生
huó活
shuǐ水
píng平
jiǎn简
zhí直
pàn判
ruò若
yún云
ní泥
。
The standard of living before and after the reform is as different as clouds and mud.
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Tā他
de的
zǎo早
qī期
zuò作
pǐn品
yǔ与
xiàn现
zài在
de的
chéng成
shú熟
fēng风
gé格
pàn判
ruò若
yún云
ní泥
。
His early works are worlds apart from his mature style now.
Xīn新
lǎo老
liǎng两
dài代
rén人
de的
guān观
niàn念
wǎng往
wǎng往
pàn判
ruò若
yún云
ní泥
。
The views of the older and younger generations are often poles apart.