How to Pronounce "a fine kettle of fish"
expression
uh FINE KET-ul uhv FISH
uh FAYN KET-ul OV FISH
Definition
A complicated, difficult, or awkward situation; a mess. Usually used to express frustration or surprise at a problem.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈfaɪn/ /ˈkɛtəɫ/ /ˈəv/ /ˈfɪʃ
British English
æɪ/ /fæːn/ /kˈɛtəl/ /ˈɒv/ /fˈɪʃ
Simplified Pronunciation
US
uh FINE KET-ul uhv FISH
UK
uh FAYN KET-ul OV FISH
Listen in Context
This is a fine kettle of fish—the keys are locked inside the car.
Losing my wallet at the airport is a fine kettle of fish.
If it rains during our picnic, that would be a fine kettle of fish.
Well, this is a fine kettle of fish. What do we do now?