どんぐりの背せい比くらべ

expression, noun

much of a muchness; all alike; no significant difference

Idiomatic expression comparing people or things that are equally mediocre or unremarkable; literally 'height comparison among acorns'.

• このクラスの成せい績せきはどんぐりの背せい比くらべだ。

  The grades in this class are all much of a muchness.

• 候こう補ほ者しゃの政せい策さくはどんぐりの背せい比くらべで、どれを選えらんでも大たい差さない。

  The candidates' policies are all more or less the same; it doesn't make much difference which one you choose.

expression, noun

pointless competition; pissing contest

Used when two equally unimpressive parties compete, implying the competition itself is meaningless.

• あの二人ふたりの言いい争あらそいは、どんぐりの背せい比くらべだよ。

  That argument between those two is just a pissing contest.