a pretty state of affairs

a pretty state of affairs

A situation that has gone wrong and is very problematic or unpleasant. (The use of "pretty" is ironic.) Well, this is a pretty state of affairs we're in now. The client doesn't like the job we've done, and they want it fixed in less than a week. And now the police have gotten involved—this sure turned into a pretty state of affairs, didn't it? A: "We're supposed to be negotiating the terms of this divorce, and the husband and wife have spent all day screaming at each other." B: "Sounds like a pretty state of affairs."

See also: affair, of, pretty, state

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

pretty state of affairs

 and fine state of affairs

an unpleasant state of affairs. This is a pretty state of affairs, and it's all your fault. What a fine state of affairs you've got us into.

See also: affair, of, pretty, state

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.