The same vs. alike?

[Alisa]

Test No. incompl/inter-40 "Do you mind?", question 6

It's clear as they say that great minds think ......... because we have both come to exactly the same conclusion.

(a) same
(b) similar
(c) like
(d) alike

Test No. incompl/inter-40 "Do you mind?", answer 6

It's clear as they say that great minds think alike because we have both come to exactly the same conclusion.

Correct answer: (d) alike

Your answer was: incorrect
It's clear as they say that great minds think same because we have both come to exactly the same conclusion.
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Hello moderators! Why word "same" doesn't fit in here?

[Alan]

The expession is THE same.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Subjunctive

[sendiony]

why not can`t i say SIMILAR???
or should it be SIMILARY here???

[Mister Micawber]

.
Similarly would work grammatically, but the idiomatic axiom is Great minds think alike.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Saneta]

What does the expression: ,, great minds think alike'' mean? Thanks!

[Mister Micawber]

It means pretty much what it says: brilliant thinkers think about things in similar ways and come to similar conclusions. The proverb has an interesting history

Used ironically. Both verb and noun have changed in the course of this proverb's history, the earliest instance of the present form thus far discovered being quot. 1898. Jump used absolutely in the sense of ‘agree completely’ or ‘coincide’ is now archaic.

Though he made that verse, Those words were made before. ‥Good wits doe iumpe.
[1618 D. Belchier Hans Beer-Pot D1]

Great wits jump: for the moment Dr. Slop cast his eyes upon his bag‥the very same thought occurred.
[1761 Sterne Tristram Shandy III. ix.]

As great minds jump this proves‥that my Mind is Great!
[1889 A. James Journal 1 Dec. (1964) 61]

Curious how great minds think alike. My pupil wrote me the same explanation about his non-appearance. ‥
[1898 C. G. Robertson Voces Academicae 24]

‘Great minds think alike—that's why we're never in agreement.’
[2002 Washington Times 28 May C9 (Bottomliners cartoon)]
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's