IdiomAnimals
English
Englishneither fish nor fowl
Meaning: Something that fits into no clear category.
Example: “The show is neither fish nor fowl: too silly for drama, too sad for comedy.”
Origin: Longer forms like "neither fish, flesh, nor good red herring" are recorded from the 16th century, dividing food, or people, into categories.
Equivalents in other languages
Portuguese: nem carne nem peixe Literally: Neither meat nor fish
French: Ni chair ni poisson Literally: Neither flesh nor fish
More English idioms
- only have eyes for To be interested in or attracted to one person only.
- lose sleep over To worry a lot about something.
- like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic Doing something pointless while a disaster happens.
- shoot oneself in the foot To damage one's own interests through a foolish action.
- make a pass at To make a sexual or romantic advance toward someone.
- overstep the mark To go beyond what is acceptable.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Every one's faults are not written on their foreheads. We cannot judge people's character by appearances; hidden flaws require deeper knowledge…
- God send me a friend that may tell me my faults; if not, an enemy, he will be sure to. Criticism from friends teaches growth; enemies provide it regardless, so seek honest feed…
- The faulty stands on his guard. One conscious of personal weakness remains vigilant against exploitation or exposure.
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