state of affairs: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    British EnglishAmerican Englishglobalneutralformal
    • The existing situation, set of circumstances, or condition of things at a particular time.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The state of affairs in the company after the merger is one of uncertainty and transition.

      The existing situation in the company after the merger is uncertain and in transition.

    • Given the current state of affairs, it’s clear that change is necessary to improve productivity.

      Given the current situation, it’s clear that change is needed to improve productivity.

    • She explained the state of affairs in the neighborhood, highlighting both progress and challenges.

      She described the existing circumstances in the neighborhood, noting progress and problems.

  • 2.

    British EnglishAmerican Englishglobalneutralinformalspoken
    • A situation regarded as unsatisfactory, problematic, or lamentable; often used with irony or disapproval.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The state of affairs with the city’s budget is quite alarming and needs immediate attention.

      The situation regarding the city’s budget is problematic and requires urgent care.

    • He sarcastically commented on the state of affairs at the office after the management reshuffle.

      He ironically remarked on the problematic situation at the office after management changes.

    • Considering the state of affairs, it’s no wonder employees are feeling demotivated.

      Given the unsatisfactory conditions, it’s understandable that employees feel demotivated.

Examples:

  • EN: This is a fine state of affairs!
    ES: - Un momento. Esto es el colmo.
  • EN: Fine state of affairs.
    ES: Bonito panorama.
  • EN: Now what's this terrible state of affairs you're talking about, child?
    ES: Ahora, ¿cuál es esa terrible situación de la que habla?
  • EN: Fine state of affairs in general.
    ES: En buen estado en general.
  • EN: You know that the grand duke isn't exactly pleased with the present state of affairs.
    ES: Sabéis que al Gran Duque no le agrada precisamente el actual discurrir de los asuntos.
  • EN: All events in this film are pure fantasy and are nothing more than a caricature of actions and institutions thankfully very distant from our own state of affairs
    ES: Todo lo que sucede en esta película es pura fantasía y no pretende ser más que una caricatura de hechos e instituciones ajenos, afortunadamente, a nuestro clima.
  • EN: Oh, this is a fine state of affairs!
    ES: ¡Esto sí que ya no hay quién lo aguante!
  • EN: - Well, this is a fine state of affairs - staying out all night with a man who doesn't know one stamp from another.
    ES: ¡Toda la noche con un hombre que no distingue un sello de otro!
  • EN: That's a nice state of affairs!
    ES: Bonita situación.
  • EN: What a low-down state of affairs.
    ES: - ¡Qué banalidad! ¿Y después?
  • EN: Fine state of affairs when I have to look in Kay's drawer for my slip... so that Thea can wear it.
    ES: Es increíble, tengo que buscar mí combinación en el cajón de Kay para que se la ponga Thea.
  • EN: This is a fine state of affairs.
    ES: Pues sí que están bien las cosas.
    ES: Pues sí que están bien las cosas.
  • EN: this is a fine state of affairs here in Paris a scandal!
    ES: Menuda situación lamentable tenemos aquí en París. ¡Es un éscandalo!
  • EN: This state of affairs must not be allowed to continue
    ES: No podemos permitir que este estado de cosas continúe.
  • EN: Sorry state of affairs.
    ES: Es verdaderamente increíble.
  • EN: This is a fine state of affairs!
    ES: - Un momento. Esto es el colmo.
  • EN: Fine state of affairs.
    ES: Bonito panorama.
  • EN: Now what's this terrible state of affairs you're talking about, child?
    ES: Ahora, ¿cuál es esa terrible situación de la que habla?
  • EN: Fine state of affairs in general.
    ES: En buen estado en general.
  • EN: You know that the grand duke isn't exactly pleased with the present state of affairs.
    ES: Sabéis que al Gran Duque no le agrada precisamente el actual discurrir de los asuntos.
  • EN: Oh, this is a fine state of affairs!
    ES: ¡Esto sí que ya no hay quién lo aguante!
  • EN: - Well, this is a fine state of affairs - staying out all night with a man who doesn't know one stamp from another.
    ES: ¡Toda la noche con un hombre que no distingue un sello de otro!
  • EN: That's a nice state of affairs!
    ES: Bonita situación.
  • EN: What a low-down state of affairs.
    ES: - ¡Qué banalidad! ¿Y después?
  • EN: Fine state of affairs when I have to look in Kay's drawer for my slip... so that Thea can wear it.
    ES: Es increíble, tengo que buscar mí combinación en el cajón de Kay para que se la ponga Thea.
  • EN: All events in this film are pure fantasy and are nothing more than a caricature of actions and institutions thankfully very distant from our own state of affairs
    ES: Todo lo que sucede en esta película es pura fantasía y no pretende ser más que una caricatura de hechos e instituciones ajenos, afortunadamente, a nuestro clima.
  • EN: This is a fine state of affairs.
    ES: Pues sí que están bien las cosas.
    ES: Pues sí que están bien las cosas.
  • EN: this is a fine state of affairs here in Paris a scandal!
    ES: Menuda situación lamentable tenemos aquí en París. ¡Es un éscandalo!
  • EN: This state of affairs must not be allowed to continue
    ES: No podemos permitir que este estado de cosas continúe.
  • EN: Sorry state of affairs.
    ES: Es verdaderamente increíble.

Related Idioms

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

state of affairs: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator