adult striped mullet
Refers specifically to the mature fish; the younger stages are called ボラ and イナ.
See also: ボラ
A to-do is an adult striped mullet, and it differs in size.
Obsolete abbreviation of とどのつまり; used adverbially to mean 'in the end' or 'when all is said and done'.
See also: とどのつまり
In the end, it was a lack of effort.
Katakana spelling is standard for the fish sense; also used for the adverbial sense.
Hiragana spelling is acceptable, especially for the adverbial sense.
Rare kanji form for the fish; not used for the adverbial sense.
The fish name トド is of uncertain origin. The adverbial sense is a shortening of とどのつまり, which itself derives from the fish name through a metaphorical expression.