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