Fish to fry Meaning in English
expression
FISH tuh FRY
FISH too FRY
Definition
If you have "fish to fry," you have more important things to do or focus on right now. This idiom is used to say your attention is needed elsewhere.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom. Commonly said as 'I've got bigger/better/more important fish to fry.' Used to politely decline or shift focus from trivial matters. Doesn't actually refer to cooking or fish.
Spanish: asuntos importantes - cosas que hacerPortuguese (BR): coisas mais importantes para fazerPortuguese (PT): coisas mais importantes para fazerChinese (Simplified): 更重要的事要做 - 更有价值的事情Chinese (Traditional): 更重要的事要做 - 更有價值的事情Hindi: और ज़रूरी काम - कोई और महत्वपूर्ण कामArabic: أمور أهم - أشياء أخرى تشغلنيBengali: আরো জরুরি কাজ আছে - গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কাজ আছেRussian: более важные дела - другие делаJapanese: やるべきことがある - 他に大事な用事があるVietnamese: việc quan trọng hơn phải làm - việc khác phải làmKorean: 더 중요한 일이 있다 - 급한 일이 있다Turkish: daha önemli işlerim var - başka işlerim varUrdu: اہم کام ہیں - دوسرے ضروری کام ہیںIndonesian: urusan yang lebih penting - hal lain yang harus dikerjakan
Example Sentences
Sorry, I can't help you now—I have fish to fry.
basic
She left early because she had fish to fry.
basic
I can't waste time on this. I have fish to fry.
basic
Listen, I’ve got bigger fish to fry right now.
natural
He didn’t join the meeting because he had other fish to fry.
natural
I’d love to chat, but I honestly have fish to fry today.
natural