How to Pronounce "a fine state of affairs"
expression
uh FINE STAYT uh-FAIRZ
uh FINE STAYT uh-FAIRZ
Definition
Used ironically to mean a bad, difficult, or problematic situation. It expresses annoyance, disappointment, or sarcasm about how things have turned out.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈfaɪn/ /ˈsteɪt/ /ˈəv/ /əˈfɛɹz
British English
æɪ/ /fæːn/ /stˈeɪt/ /ˈɒv/ /ɐfˈeəz
Simplified Pronunciation
US
uh FINE STAYT uh-FAIRZ
UK
uh FINE STAYT uh-FAIRZ
Listen in Context
Well, this is a fine state of affairs — my phone is gone and the keys are missing!
That's a fine state of affairs — we can't finish the project on time now.
It's raining, the car won't start, and I forgot my umbrella. A fine state of affairs, indeed.
Oh great, the printer ran out of ink right before my deadline. A fine state of affairs!