- A completely different matter, situation, topic, or person from the one just discussed.
- Emphasizes a distinct difference or contrast.
Explanation
Origin
- Likely British, from the 18th century. A kettle of fish was originally a term for a riverside picnic where fish (like salmon) were boiled in a kettle.
- Later, a pretty kettle of fish or a fine kettle of fish came to mean a mess or a muddle.
- Adding different or another shifted the meaning to contrast this 'kettle of fish' (situation/topic) with a previous one, highlighting its complete difference.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- A whole 'nother story / A whole 'nother level
- Different ballpark
- Different beast
- Apples and oranges
- Night and day difference
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Not the same fucking thing at all.
- A completely different shitshow (if referring to a problematic situation).
Milder/Formal:
- An entirely separate matter/issue
- Quite distinct
- Not comparable
- A different category altogether
- Requires a different approach
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- More common in British, Irish, Australian, and New Zealand English, but generally understood in North America.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners, especially those primarily exposed to American English, might not be familiar with it. The literal meaning offers no clues. Needs to be learned as meaning a completely different thing/situation.
Examples
- Playing chess online is one thing, but playing in a tournament is a different kettle of fish.
- I thought managing freelancers would be easy, but coordinating their schedules is a whole different kettle of fish.
- Oh, you're asking about his brother? Well, he's a different kettle of fish entirely.
Dialogue
Student A: I did well on the multiple-choice quiz.
Student B: That's good, but the essay exam next week is a different kettle of fish. You really need to know your stuff in detail.
Student A: Oh, right. I'd better prepare differently then.
Social Media Examples
- Forum comment: Fixing a leaky faucet is easy. Replacing the whole plumbing system? That's a different kettle of fish. #DIY #homeimprovement
- Tweet: Living in a dorm vs. renting your first apartment: a different kettle of fish! #adulting #studentlife
- Blog post snippet: ...but managing remote teams presents a different kettle of fish compared to in-office management.
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Acknowledgment: Yes, completely different. / I see what you mean. / You can say that again.
- Inquiry: Really? How is it different? / What makes it a different kettle of fish?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Explaining the key distinctions between the two situations or topics being compared.
- Elaborating on the unique challenges or characteristics of the different kettle of fish.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used specifically to contrast the current topic with a previous one.
Intonation
- Main stress falls on DIFFERENT and FISH. Ah, now *that's* a DIFFERENT kettle of FISH.
- Often said with emphasis to mark the contrast clearly.
Generation Differences
- Understood by most generations, though perhaps feels slightly more traditional or British to younger North Americans.
Regional Variations
- Significantly more common in the UK and Commonwealth countries than in the US and Canada. Americans might more commonly use a whole new ballgame or apples and oranges.