kettle of fish

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See synonyms for kettle of fish on Thesaurus.com

noun

an awkward, difficult, or bad situation; muddle; mess: He's managed to get himself into a fine kettle of fish!

a state of affairs; a matter under consideration: The new proposal is quite a different kettle of fish from the last one.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of kettle of fish

First recorded in 1735–45

Words nearby kettle of fish

kettlebell, kettle-bottom, kettledrum, kettle hat, kettle hole, kettle of fish, kettle stitch, kettling, ketubah, Keturah, Ketuvim

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use kettle of fish in a sentence

When Chérif got out of prison, he worked at the fish counter of a supermarket.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“The government just wanted to catch the big fish [in the Juarez cartel] and they ignored everything in between,” Lozoya said.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro|Bill Conroy|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The Dallas Cowboys sell out their state-of-the art football stadium.
Will Texas Stay Texan?|David Fontana|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We happily hoist our egg nog in the air, embrace each other, and raise our out-of-tune voices in song.
The Most Confusing Christmas Music Lyrics Explained (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

DISH delivers a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience to every room of your home, wirelessly.
Four TV Shows We Can’t Wait to Return In 2015|DISH|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He must be The saltest fish that swims the sea.And, oh!He has a secret woe!
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
Roulard had played the trumpet in the regimental band in which Aristide had played the kettle drum.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
You never know when you are going to stumble upon a jewel in the most out-of-the-way corner.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
He looked up from his fish and replied, somewhat cuttingly, "By contesting a borough and getting elected."
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Smoking, the angry and fuming king protests, had made our manners as rude as those of the fish-wives of Dieppe.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for kettle of fish

kettle of fish

noun

a situation; state of affairs (often used ironically in the phrase a pretty or fine kettle of fish)

case; matter for considerationthat's quite a different kettle of fish

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with kettle of fish

kettle of fish

Also, a fine or pretty kettle of fish. 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]

a different or another kettle of fish. 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]

kettle of fish

Origin of kettle of fish

Words nearby kettle of fish

Words related to kettle of fish

How to use kettle of fish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for kettle of fish

Other Idioms and Phrases with kettle of fish