kettle of fish
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.
Origin of kettle of fish
First recorded in 1735–45
Words nearby kettle of fish
kettering,
kettle,
kettle base,
kettle hat,
kettle hole,
kettle of fish,
kettle stitch,
kettle-bottom,
kettledrum,
ketubah,
keturah
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 consideration
that's quite a different 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]