kettle

be another/a different kettle of fish

if you say that something or someone is a different kettle of fish, you mean that they are completely different from something or someone else that has been talked about. Andy was never very interested in school, but Anna, now she was a completely different kettle of fish. I'd driven an automatic for years but learning to handle a car with gears was another kettle of fish altogether.

See also: another, different, fish

a fine/pretty kettle of fish (mainly American)

a difficult situation. That's a fine kettle of fish - the car won't start and I have to leave in five minutes.

See also: fine, fish, pretty

the pot calling the kettle black

something that you say which means someone should not criticize another person for a fault that they have themselves. Elliot accused me of being selfish. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

See also: black, calling, pot

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the pot calling the kettle black

a situation in which one person criticizes another for a fault they have themselves. Ernie accused me of being selfish. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

See also: black, calling, pot