Definition
An awkward situation.
A situation recognized as different from or as an alternative to some other situation.
Origins
From kettle, a variant of kiddle, a weir or fence of stakes in a stream used to catch fish.
In Context
- ""That's a fine kettle of fish," he exclaimed, then turned to his dinner companion. "Fine kettle of fish. I'm so hungry even that sounds good, and from the looks of this menu that's probably what I'll get.""
- "That is another kettle of fish entirely."
- "Network Rail would have faced a bigger issue. Maintaining the track for one freight train a day is one thing - doing so for 200 passenger trains a day was a very different kettle of fish."
Also Said As
- cauldron
- can of worms
- predicament
- ass in a sling
- bind
- bucket of syrup
- calvary
- cauldron
- cross
- cross to bear
- difficulty
- dilemma
- dire straits
- doghouse
- fix
- hole
- jam
- kettle
- kettle of fish
- ordeal
- pickle
- pinch
- plight
- predicament
- quandary
- quagmire
- situation
- spot
- spot of bother
- sticky situation
- sticky wicket
- tight spot
- trouble
See Also
- kettle[Appendix:Glossary