Definition of Kettle of fish

1. Noun. Informal terms for a difficult situation. "He made a muddle of his marriage"

Exact synonyms: Fix, Hole, Jam, Mess, Muddle, Pickle
Generic synonyms: Difficulty
Specialized synonyms: Dog's Breakfast, Dog's Dinner

Definition of Kettle of fish

1. Noun. (idiomatic) An awkward situation; a predicament. ¹

2. Noun. (idiomatic) A situation which is recognized as different from or as an alternative to some other situation, and which is not necessarily unfavorable. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Kettle Of Fish

ketotriose
ketotrioses
ketoxime
ketoximes
kets
kettle
kettle corn
kettle drum
kettle drums
kettle fur collector
kettle fur collectors
kettle hole
kettle holes
kettle lake
kettle lakes
kettle of fish
kettlebell
kettlebells
kettled
kettledrum
kettledrummer
kettledrummers
kettledrumming
kettledrums
kettleful
kettlefuls
kettlelike
kettles
kettles of fish
kettlesful

Literary usage of Kettle of fish

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Handy-book of Literary Curiosities by William Shepard Walsh (1892)
"If the pulleys get out of order, it is called a "kittle of fish/* but why one cannot understand, unless it be a mere corruption of "a pretty kettle of fish ..."

2. Punch by Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman (1887)
"A PRETTY kettle of fish. itry is stated to bare for it« object the prevention ... your Sire— And—you '11 take this strange " kettle of fish " off the fire ! ..."

3. The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray by William Makepeace Thackeray, Sir Leslie Stephen (1899)
"CHAPTER LX WHICH TREATS OF MACBETH, A SUPPER, AND A PRETTY kettle of fish . WHEN the performances were concluded, our friends took coach for Mr. ..."

4. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: Giving the Derivation, Source, Or Origin of by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer (1898)
"Is used in quite another sense, meaning : Here's a pretty kettle of fish. I'm in a pretty , mess ; this is confusion worse confounded. ..."

5. The Year Book of the United States Brewers' Association by United States Brewers' Association (1916)
"A PRETTY kettle of fish (An editorial in the Louisville Courier-Journal, December 12, 1916) SATAN MASQUERADES AS A CHRISTIAN Soon or late—there are those ..."

6. Original Plays by William Schwenck Gilbert (1905)
"Carrying every Bill he may wish : Here's a pretty kettle of fish! kettle of fish! kettle of fish! Here's a pretty kettle of fish! ..."

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