be a different kettle of fish

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be a different kettle of fish

To be entirely different in scope or description from someone or something that was just being discussed. Steve: "So you like your first two roommates, but what about your third one?" Joe: "William? Oh, he's a different kettle of fish altogether." I suppose we could start looking at buying a house now that our baby is on the way, but that's an entirely different kettle of fish!
See also: different, fish, kettle, of

different kettle of fish

Entirely different in scope or description from someone or something that was just being discussed. Steve: "So you like your first two roommates, but what about your third one?" Joe: "William? Oh, he's a different kettle of fish altogether." I suppose we could start looking at buying a house now that our baby is on the way, but that's an entirely different kettle of fish!
See also: different, fish, kettle, of

a different kettle of fish

or

another kettle of fish

BRITISH
COMMON You say that something is a different kettle of fish or another kettle of fish to emphasize that it is completely unlike another thing that you are mentioning. Artistic integrity? Who needs it? Money? Now that's a completely different kettle of fish. Howard was a sweetheart. But Clarisse was another kettle of fish.
See also: different, fish, kettle, of

a different kettle of fish

a completely different matter or type of person from the one previously mentioned. informal
1993 Empire Meryl is the finest actress of her generation but Arnold is, er, a different kettle of fish.
See also: different, fish, kettle, of

a different kettle of ˈfish

(informal) a person or thing that is completely different from somebody/something else previously mentioned: You may be able to read French well, but speaking it fluently is a different kettle of fish entirely.
A kettle in this idiom is a pan in which you can cook a whole fish.
See also: different, fish, kettle, of
References in periodicals archive ?
Defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup last month was mighty disappointing but Everton are a different kettle of fish at home.
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Defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup last month was mighty disappointing, but Everton are a different kettle of fish at home.
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They may do that on services operated by Go North East, but Arriva are a different kettle of fish.
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But Sandbach are a different kettle of fish, and the visitors will have to be fully switched on for this one if they are to give themselves a chance of moving up to first or second spot in the table.
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"Chelsea are a different kettle of fish compared to Stoke, and people might say that if we lost to Stoke then we haven't got much hope tomorrow," he said.
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Wigan are a different kettle of fish playing at home with so much to play for.
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But heat and humidity are a different kettle of fish because they are things you can prepare for.
Athletics: Radcliffe plays down air fears
Fresh run salmon, however, are a different kettle of fish altogether.
Being patient is the best policy
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