in fine fettle

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in fine fettle

/ɪn ˌfaɪn ˈfɛtl̩/ UK
/ɪn ˌfaɪn ˈfɛt(ə)l/ US
[-ɾ(ə)l] US

Rhymes with -ɛtəl

Where it comes from

From in + fine (“of superior quality”) + fettle (“state of physical condition”). Fettle is derived from Late Middle English fetlen (“(verb) to bestow; to fix, prepare, put in place; to prepare (oneself) for battle, gird up; to shape; to be about to, or to ready (oneself), to stay; (adjective) shaped (well or poorly)”) [and other forms], possibly from Old English fetel (“belt, girdle, fettle”), from Proto-Germanic *fatilaz; further etymology unknown.

phrase

In good condition; energetic, fit. Tortoise: [Y]ou're looking in very fine fettle these days, I must say. Achilles: Thank you very much.
Similar: fit as a fiddle

Translations

Every language

prep_phrase in good condition — see also fit

Español	en plenas condiciones
Français	frais comme l'œil

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Cite this

MLA

"in fine fettle." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/in%20fine%20fettle. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

in fine fettle. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/in%20fine%20fettle

Chicago

"in fine fettle." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/in%20fine%20fettle.

BibTeX

@misc{in_fine_fettle_2026,
  title = {in fine fettle},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/in%20fine%20fettle},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}