ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kettle of fish

idiom
Meaning

An awkward situation.


Origin

disputed origin

From kettle, a variant of kiddle, a weir or fence of stakes in a stream used to catch fish.

Examples
SIMPLE

That is a different kettle of fish entirely.

CONTEXTUAL

I can fix a leaky sink, but repairing the entire plumbing system is a different kettle of fish.

COMPLEX

Managing a small team is straightforward, but leading a global organization through a crisis is quite another kettle of fish.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    big fish

    An important person.

  2. 02

    big fish in a small pond

    One who has achieved a high rank or is highly esteemed, but only in a small, relatively unimportant, or little known location or organization.

  3. 03

    bigger fish to fry

    A much more pressing issue to attend to.

  4. 04

    cold fish

    A heartless individual; a person lacking empathy and emotion.

  5. 05

    fish in troubled waters

    To try to take advantage of a confused or troubled situation.

  6. 06

    fish or cut bait

    To make a decision, especially after a period of delay; to either take action now or forgo the opportunity.

  7. 07

    fish out

    To search for by rummaging, and then extract (an item from e.g. a container); to obtain.

  8. 08

    fish out of water

    A person in unfamiliar and often uncomfortable surroundings.

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