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I am looking for an idiom used when people say that you are as good/bad as somebody, but you don't agree with it because you think you are not on the same level as them, or that you are way better than them.

Is there any idiom like "don't put me with somebody together in the same sentence"?

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    Yes, it makes sense. When I was younger, I often heard "Don't mention us both in the same sentence", although I can't find that on searching. Usually it was said of someone you didn't respect. Apr 8, 2014 at 10:06
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    Surely there is an old saying to the effect of "I am unworthy to be mentioned in the same breath with X" (if the comparison is flattering) or "Don't yoke me to the same cart with that ass" (if the comparison is insulting).
    – Sven Yargs
    Aug 27, 2015 at 5:45

6 Answers 6

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'Don't speak of me in the same breath as...'? 'Don't lump me in with..'?

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    +1 for don't lump me in with.
    – David M
    Apr 8, 2014 at 12:33
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Don't tar me with the same brush is an idiom I might use in this case. I originally thought it was a seafaring allegory, but it looks like it might come from sheep farmers marking all the animals of their flock with tar.

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Don't throw me and X in the same pot.

Don't bracket me with X.

X and I are not cast in the same mould.

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To reject a favorable comparison with someone who is not up to your standards, you could say Don't damn me with faint praise.

This doesn't work with the rejection of a comparison that is negative. One approach some may take is to criticize the criticizer. I've been insulted by better [meaning I've been insulted by more important people than you, and I have survived it].

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  • Is it disapproving to use the first one ? I mean does it sound arrogant when you say it ?
    – user4751
    Apr 8, 2014 at 16:21
  • Probably anytime you say I think I am better than that it can sound arrogant. It depends on the tone and the audience.
    – bib
    Apr 8, 2014 at 16:39
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Don't speak of my views with such a broad brush, or is nuance beyond you?

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May be this idiom is what you are looking for:

Don't put everybody in the same boat.

It means: we are not in the same position, we are all different.

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