have other fish to fry: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 2.

    UKUSglobalidiomaticinformalMachine
    • To have other, more important or more interesting matters to deal with; to prefer to attend to different concerns than those currently proposed.

    Examples

    Beta

    • I can’t spend time on this issue now; I have other fish to fry that are more urgent.

      I can’t spend time on this issue now; I have other fish to fry that are more urgent.

    • They decided to drop the argument because they had other fish to fry and more important priorities.

      They decided to drop the argument because they had other fish to fry and more important priorities.

    • She told me she had other fish to fry, so she couldn’t join the meeting today.

      She told me she had other fish to fry, so she couldn’t join the meeting today.

  • 1.

    UKUShistoricalneutralliteralMachine
    • To literally have other food, tasks, or matters (originally fish to prepare) to attend to.

    Examples

    Beta

    • After cleaning the fish, she realized she still had other fish to fry before dinner was ready.

      After cleaning the fish, she realized she still had other fish to fry before dinner was ready.

    • The fishermen had other fish to fry, so they left the bay early to prepare for the next catch.

      The fishermen had other fish to fry, so they left the bay early to prepare for the next catch.

    • I literally have other fish to fry tonight since I promised to cook dinner for my family.

      I literally have other fish to fry tonight since I promised to cook dinner for my family.

    • She had other fish to fry in the kitchen, including preparing the side dishes and desserts.

      She had other fish to fry in the kitchen, including preparing the side dishes and desserts.

Examples:

  • EN: We have other fish to fry, Vero.
    ES: Tenemos otros peces para freír, Vero.
  • EN: Right now, I have other fish to fry.
    ES: Ahora mismo tengo otros peces para freír.
  • EN: Zaroff's a desperate man. Ben, you and I have other fish to fry.
    ES: Ben, tú y yo tenemos otro pescado para freír.
  • EN: I suppose you all have other fish to fry.
    ES: Ustedes todavía tienen cosas por hacer.
  • EN: I have other fish to fry.
    ES: Tengo otros asuntos.
    ES: Tengo hartas cosas que hacer.
    ES: Tengo otros peces que pescar.
    ES: Tengo otros problemas ahora.
    ES: Tengo otras prioridades.
    ID: Masih ada urusan lain.
    ID: Aku urus masalah dulu.
    ID: Aku masih sibuk, aku pergi dulu.
  • EN: "Oh, no thanks, Mr. Longshanks. I have other fish to fry."
    ES: - Oh, no, gracias, Señor Pataslargas - ...tengo otras cosas que hacer.
  • EN: This day, we have other fish to fry, general.
    ES: Hoy tenemos otro pescado que freír, General.
  • EN: - I have other fish to fry.
    ES: - Tengo otras cosas que hacer.
  • EN: But I have other fish to fry.
    ES: Pero tengo otro pescado que freír.
  • EN: I have other fish to fry, dammit!
    ES: Tengo otras cosas que hacer.
  • EN: They have other fish to fry.
    ES: Tienen otras cosas que hacer.
  • EN: Be patient, sir. You and I have other fish to fry.
    ES: Paciencia, usted y yo tenemos otras gambas que pelar.
  • EN: We have other fish to fry!
    ID: Kita punya ikan lain untuk digoreng!
  • EN: You and I have other fish to fry.
    ID: Masih ada ikan lebih besar.

Related Idioms

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Source: Wiktionary