Mess; state of affairs (6,2,4)

I believe the answer is:

kettle of fish

I believe this is a double definition.

'mess' is the first definition.
(synonyms)

'state of affairs' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)

(Another definition for kettle of fish that I've seen is " State of affairs".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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