kettle of fish
Americannoun
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an awkward, difficult, or bad situation; muddle; mess.
He's managed to get himself into a fine kettle of fish!
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a state of affairs; a matter under consideration.
The new proposal is quite a different kettle of fish from the last one.
noun
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a situation; state of affairs (often used ironically in the phrase a pretty or fine kettle of fish )
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case; matter for consideration
that's quite a different kettle of fish
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Also, . An unpleasant or messy predicament, as in They haven't spoken in years, and they're assigned to adjoining seats—that's a fine kettle of fish . This term alludes to the Scottish riverside picnic called kettle of fish , where freshly caught salmon were boiled and eaten out of hand. [Early 1700s]
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. A very different matter or issue, not necessarily a bad one. For example, They're paying for the meal? That's a different kettle of fish . [First half of 1900s]
Etymology
Origin of kettle of fish
First recorded in 1735–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The press are a different kettle of fish."
From BBC • Nov. 18, 2024
"And that may be a different kettle of fish."
From Salon • Jul. 18, 2023
There is definitely plenty of talent in the Romanian squad but being able to beat Germany is another kettle of fish.
From The Guardian • Mar. 28, 2021
This is fine kettle of fish, isn't it?
From New York Times • May 3, 2016
"That’s a fine kettle of fish," he exclaimed, then turned to his dinner companion.
From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
