kettle of fish

noun

1. an awkward, difficult, or bad situation; muddle; mess:

   He's managed to get himself into a fine kettle of fish!

2. a state of affairs; a matter under consideration:

   The new proposal is quite a different kettle of fish from the last one.

kettle of fish

noun

1. a situation; state of affairs (often used ironically in the phrase a pretty or fine kettle of fish )
2. case; matter for consideration

   that's quite a different kettle of fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of kettle of fish¹

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

"The press are a different kettle of fish."

From BBC

This, she said, was a "whole different kettle of fish" which required different skills and experience.

From BBC

"But the Crooked House is a different kettle of fish," he said.

From BBC

"And that may be a different kettle of fish."

From Salon

“It’s a very different kettle of fish to the U.S. system,” he said.

From Washington Post