Hello! This is a fine state of affairs! (3,2,3,2)
I believe the answer is:
how do you do
This clue might be a double definition.
'hello' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'state of affairs' is the second definition.
(how-do-you-do is a kind of state of affairs)
'this is a fine' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to one of the definitions.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for how do you do that I've seen before include "Hot water" , "difficult situation" , "Greeting - awkward situation" , "Polite enquiry after ones health?" , "Welcome" .)