1 (exacting) [+person] quisquilloso it is as if everything has been sorted out by a fussy spinster, folded neatly and put in its proper place the referee was very fussy, wouldn't let anything pass his eagle eye
they'll think you're fussy if you ring them van a creer que eres quisquilloso or difícil si les llamas
you can't afford to be too fussy about where it comes from
children are often fussy eaters los niños son a menudo quisquillosos or especiales para la comida
he's a fussy [eater]
(scrupulous) he's very fussy about detail es muy escrupuloso or meticuloso con los detalles
(selective) selectivo I'm very fussy about the parts I take on soy muy selectivo a la hora de elegir papeles; no elijo cualquier papel
graduates can't afford to be fussy about what jobs they take
I'm very fussy about what I wear soy muy especial a la hora de vestir
she's very fussy [about] what she wears
I'm not fussy me da igual; me da lo mismo
2 (elaborate) [+design, clothes] recargado; con muchos ringorrangos (informal) we're not very keen on floral patterns and fussy designs The mature woman should avoid fussy details and prints that detract from her face she wore a dress of some soft material that was slightly too fussy for her You may think net curtains are fussy or old-fashioned
3 (nervous) [+manner] nervioso her aunt was small with a rather fussy manner something about Mr. Herbert tickled her, his precise, fussy mannerisms, his reserve