There’s a funny smell in the studio – what can it be? Rob has brought in something to illustrate today’s authentic English phrase – which Feifei puts to good use when she insults Rob’s cooking!
Feifei
Hello, I’m Feifei and it’s time again for The English We Speak and with me today is Rob…
Rob
Hello everyone!
Feifei
Rob, what is that awful smell of fish?
Rob
Ah, you mean these smoked kippers?
Feifei
Smoked kippers? Why have you got smoked kippers in the studio?
Rob
To illustrate today’s phrase. And this long pan is a kettle. It’s not the thing you boil water in.
Feifei
Oh right. So what is the fish-related phrase then?
Rob
The phrase is a different kettle of fish – we say it to mean a situation or subject that is being discussed is completely different from the one you are talking about.
Feifei
A strange phrase indeed. So we could say writing English is a very different kettle of fish from speaking it?
Rob
Yes, we can – it means it’s a different thing – let’s hear some more examples…
Examples
I loved the first film but the sequel was a different kettle of fish.
Heating a ready meal in the microwave is one thing but preparing a freshly cooked meal is a different kettle of fish.
Camping on the beach would be amazing but camping in the rain would be a different kettle of fish!
Feifei
So, when something is a different kettle of fish it means to be completely different from something or someone else that has been talked about. I’ve got it Rob!
Rob
Good. You can also say to be another kettle of fish. So then Feifei, how about coming round to my house and eating some of this fish?
Feifei
Rob, going to your house is one thing but trying your cooking is a different kettle of fish!
Rob
Don’t you like fish?
Feifei
Fish is ok – it’s your cooking that isn’t.
Rob
I shall eat alone then! Come on fishy-wishys…
Feifei
Bye.
The story An investigation by the United Nations, called a 'commission of inquiry', has found…
The story A boy who died at the age of 15 has been made a…
The story A major aftershock has hit eastern Afghanistan, just days after an earthquake measuring…
The story A study in Taiwan has found that peoples' biological age increases when they…
The story Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House on Monday to meet…
The story The charity Prostate Cancer UK, says that the UK is treating too many…