kettle of fish

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.
Origin
1735-45
Examples from the web for kettle of fish
  • And a pretty kettle of fish they make of it between them.
  • The origins of life are an entirely different kettle of fish.
  • Getting those molecules to stick only to tumour cells, though, is a different kettle of fish.
  • Speculators, despite their bad name, are a different and far healthier kettle of fish.
  • Semiconductors and microchips are a different kettle of fish.
  • Contrarian science policy is another kettle of fish because your choice is either to enact the policy or not.
  • He has sown his wild oats and finds himself undismayed, but nevertheless with a pretty kettle of fish in his palatial cauldrons.
  • Criminal prosecutions are different kettle of fish entirely, and her responsibilities and duties would be different.
  • It's an altogether different kettle of fish and it takes focus and concentration, and it takes consideration.
  • So that's a different kettle of fish, if you will, from what you're discussing now.
British Dictionary definitions for kettle of fish

kettle of fish

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
Slang definitions & phrases for kettle of fish

kettle of fish

Related Terms

fine kettle of fish


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 ]