A different kettle of fish
2017.07.19
Meaning:
‘A different kettle of fish’ is a cute expression that just means ‘something very different’. It can be positive or negative. My internet research says nobody knows *why* we use this expression. But I can tell you that ‘kettle’ in this idiom means a ‘fish kettle’, which is a long, flat pan for boiling fish – not a kettle for boiling water to make tea.
Example:
A: Do you like Japanese food?
B: I love sushi, but Japanese home-cooking… that’s a different kettle of fish!
A: Don’t you like nikujaga?
B: No, sorry, not much.
A: I think Judy should give the presentation.
B: I don’t know… she’s good at speaking in meetings, but if we put her in front of a large group of people that’s a whole different kettle of fish.
Talking Point(s):
How can you say ‘something very different’ in Japanese? Do you have any good idioms for this?
大人からの英会話getgo 西船橋・荻窪・津田沼・本八幡