This new device is neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring.
neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring
idiomSynonym of neither fish nor fowl (“not easily categorized; not rightly belonging or fitting well in a given group or situation; also, not having the advantages of the various options”).
Origin
disputed originThe three foods are metonyms for those things suitable to each of medieval society’s classes of people; fish represents the clergy, flesh represents commoners, whilst red herring represents paupers; the three classes are simplistically regarded as exhaustive.
The committee rejected the proposal because it was neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring, failing to address any of the core issues.
The hybrid policy proved to be neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring, as it lacked the structure of the old system while failing to provide the flexibility promised by the new one.
- 01
a good deal
Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.
- 02
all good
It's all good.
- 03
become one flesh
To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.
- 04
big fish
An important person.
- 05
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.
- 06
bigger fish to fry
A much more pressing issue to attend to.
- 07
bleed red ink
To suffer from severe net losses.
- 08
but good
To a high degree; very thoroughly; in a most definite manner.