Question

What does the idiom "have other fish to fry" mean in the context of this passage?
A) have other enemies to destroy
B) have more important things to do
C) have other sources of assistance
D) have better hopes for the future

Answer 1

The Journal to Stella
by Jonathan Swift (excerpt)

'Tis not right, faith: but I won't be angry with MD at distance. I writ to him last post, before I had his; and will write again soon, since I see he expects it, and that Lord and Lady Mountjoy put him off upon me, to give themselves ease. Lastly, I had this day a letter from a certain naughty rogue called MD, and it was N. 5; which I shall not answer to-night, I thank you. No, faith, I have other fish to fry; but to-morrow or next day will be time enough. I have put MD's commissions in a memorandum paper. I think I have done all before, and remember nothing but this to-day about glasses and spectacles and spectacle cases.

Answer 2

@harley_may

Answer 3

have other fish to fry - Wiktionary
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/have_other_fish_to_fry
Wiktionary
have other fish to fry. Definition from Wiktionary, the free ... have other fish to fry. (idiomatic) To have more important things to do. [quotations ▽]. c. 1710 ...

Answer 4

it means to have more important things to do or B

Answer 5

thanks @liza14