# kettle of fish

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/kettle-of-fish
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An awkward situation.

## Examples

- That is a different kettle of fish entirely.
- I can fix a leaky sink, but repairing the entire plumbing system is a different kettle of fish.
- Managing a small team is straightforward, but leading a global organization through a crisis is quite another kettle of fish.

## Origin

The term derives from kettle, a variant of kiddle, referring to a weir or fence of stakes placed in a stream for the purpose of catching fish. This method of trapping fish provided the foundational noun for the idiom.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.