kettle of fish

American  

noun

1. an awkward, difficult, or bad situation; muddle; mess.

   He's managed to get himself into a fine kettle of fish!

2. 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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kettle of fish British  

noun

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

2. case; matter for consideration

   that's quite a different kettle of fish

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kettle of fish Idioms  

1. 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]

2. . 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]

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Etymology

Origin of kettle of fish

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

"Thomas Frank has done a brilliant job at Brentford, but this is a whole different kettle of fish," said Sutton.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2025

"And that may be a different kettle of fish."

From Salon • Jul. 18, 2023

The arts in Germany is a whole different kettle of fish.

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2020

"If my husband were alive it would be a different kettle of fish."

From The Guardian • Jul. 20, 2013

A fine kettle of fish that will be.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank