PhrasesHub

Kettle of fish

    Definitions

      • a different situation or matter
        Refers to a completely different issue or matter than the one currently being discussed

      • mess or predicament
        Describes a messy or difficult situation

    Examples of Kettle of fish

    • The contract negotiations with our major client have turned into a real kettle of fish.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation that has become confusing, complicated, and difficult to manage. In this case, the negotiating process with the client has become so complex and unpredictable that it's comparable to an unruly group of fish in a kettle, which are hard to control or predict.

    • It's been a kettle of fish trying to keep up with all the project deliverables.

      This example shows that the idiom can also be used figuratively in a general context to describe a situation that is challenging and difficult to manage. Here, the speaker is using the idiom to communicate that there are a lot of tasks and deadlines to meet, and it's become overwhelming and confusing.

    • When my parents found out about my graduation, they asked me why I hadn't told them earlier. I said, "Well, it's been a kettle of fish trying to graduate on time with all my other commitments."

      In this example, the speaker is using the idiom to explain that there were a lot of competing demands for their time, making it difficult to prioritize and manage all the tasks needed to graduate on time. By using the kettle of fish analogy, the speaker is highlighting the complexity and confusion of the situation.

    • The company's financial situation has become a real kettle of fish since the economic downturn.

      This final example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe a situation that has become chaotic and unpredictable due to external factors. In this case, the speaker is using the idiom to communicate that the company's finances have been disrupted by the economic downturn, making it difficult to manage and control.

    • The negotiations between the two companies turned into a real kettle of fish.

      In this example, the idiom "kettle of fish" is being used as a metaphor for a complicated and confusing situation. It's akin to a situation where many different factors and variables are mixing together in an unpredictable and chaotic way, much like the way different ingredients might boil and interact in a kettle. Here, the negotiations between the two companies have become a messy and unpredictable situation that is difficult to untangle or resolve.

    • Dealing with my kids' school schedules this year is turning into a real kettle of fish.

      In this example, the idiom "kettle of fish" is being used to describe a situation that is complex and challenging, much like the way managing multiple children's school schedules can be time-consuming and complicated, with many different factors and variables that need to be taken into account.

    • The CEO's announcement that the company would be moving to a new location was a real kettle of fish for the employees.

      Here, the idiom "kettle of fish" is being used to describe a situation that is causing a lot of confusion and uncertainty for the employees. Just as a kettle of fish can be difficult to manage because there are so many different variables and factors at play, the employees may be unsure about how the move will affect their jobs and their daily routines, and they may be struggling to make sense of the situation.

    • The interview went really well, but the hiring manager requested that I provide some additional references, which has turned the whole situation into a real kettle of fish.

      In this example, the idiom "kettle of fish" is being used to describe a situation that has become more complicated and uncertain than it was initially. Just as adding more fish to a kettle can make it more difficult to manage, the request for additional references has made the hiring process more complicated and uncertain, perhaps causing the applicant to feel as though they're in over their head.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "kettle of fish" has two main meanings. It can be used to refer to a different situation or matter, indicating that the topic at hand is unrelated to the one being discussed. It can also be used to describe a messy or difficult situation. In both cases, the idiom is used to convey the idea of a separate or complicated matter.

    People often use this idiom in casual conversation to emphasize that the topic being discussed is completely different from the one previously mentioned. It can also be used to express frustration or confusion about a difficult situation. Overall, "kettle of fish" is a versatile idiom that can be used in various contexts to convey the idea of a different matter or a messy predicament.

    Origin of "Kettle of fish"

    The origin of the idiom "kettle of fish" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in Scotland. One possible explanation is that it comes from the practice of cooking fish in large kettles for community gatherings or festivals. Each family would bring their own kettle of fish, and if someone brought a different type of fish, it would create a separate matter or issue.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the phrase "a fine kettle of fish," which was used to describe a messy or difficult situation. Over time, the phrase evolved into the shorter version "kettle of fish" that we use today. Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has become a widely used expression in the English language. Examples of its use can be found in literature, music, and everyday conversation.