Have more important fish to fry Meaning in English

expression

US

HAV MOR im-POR-tuhnt FISH to FRAI

UK

hav maw im-PAW-tuhnt fish tuu fry

Definition

To have more important things to do or focus on than the current activity or topic.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal, idiomatic expression to politely dismiss something as less urgent or trivial. Usually used to shift focus away from what someone thinks is unimportant. Similar to 'have bigger fish to fry.' Don't use literally; always metaphorical.

• Spanish: tener cosas más importantes que hacer
• Portuguese (BR): ter coisas mais importantes para fazer
• Portuguese (PT): ter coisas mais importantes para fazer
• Chinese (Simplified): 有更重要的事要做
• Chinese (Traditional): 有更重要的事要做
• Hindi: और भी ज़रूरी काम होना
• Arabic: لديه أمور أكثر أهمية للقيام بها
• Bengali: আরো গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কিছু করার আছে
• Russian: есть дела поважнее
• Japanese: もっと大事なことがある
• Vietnamese: có việc quan trọng hơn phải làm
• Korean: 더 중요한 일이 있다
• Turkish: daha önemli işleri olmak
• Urdu: مزید اہم کام ہونا
• Indonesian: punya urusan yang lebih penting

Example Sentences

Honestly, I have more important fish to fry than worrying about what people think.

natural

I can't help you right now—I have more important fish to fry.

basic

She didn't join the meeting because she had more important fish to fry.

basic

We shouldn't argue about this, we have more important fish to fry.

basic

If he isn't interested, don't push it—he has more important fish to fry.

natural

Don't worry about that minor problem; we have more important fish to fry right now.

natural