Does it make sense to say something is as _ as something else is _ if the 2 adjectives are opposites?

Question

Does it make sense or not to use this form…

A is as X as B is Y

…if X and Y are antonyms? For example "He is as tall as she is short" to say that he is very tall?

"Coal is as white as milk is black" is a way to say that coal is black. — Yellow Sky, Jun 13, 2020 at 12:40

Peter · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-13 05:40:14Z

2

I believe this is fine. The usage in your example is a way of contrasting the heights of the two people.

answered Jun 13, 2020 at 5:40

Peter

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1

I am not sure about this answer. Can you add some sources please? May be a few different examples would be great.
– AIQ
Jun 13, 2020 at 11:22
@AIQ, I remember reading this type of expression, but I have no idea where, and the authors I most often read would not be accepted as authorities for English usage anyway.
– Peter
Jun 14, 2020 at 2:55
I remember sth like this too. And now it's kind of bugging me because I can't put a finger on it. I don't remember what this sort of comparison is called.
– AIQ
Jun 14, 2020 at 2:59

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Bruce Murray · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-13 15:02:46Z

2

Yes, it's indicating that the degree of difference is the same.

answered Jun 13, 2020 at 15:02

Bruce Murray

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