fish for

phrasal verb

fished for; fishing for; fishes for
: to ask for or try to get (something, such as praise or attention) in an indirect way
I think he offers apologies for his cooking as a way of fishing for compliments.
fishing for answers

Examples of fish for in a Sentence

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As much as one ton of arsenic is estimated to leach into tributaries of the Salmon River each year from the old mine tailings, and the fish for which the river is named have been blocked from more than 20 miles of habitat above the mine for generations. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025 Most catches of them occur along the beaches and anglers fishing for snook or pompano. Jon Chapman, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025 Gently fry the fish for 3 to 4 minutes, then turn over and cook for another 2 minutes. Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025 Throw it on some pork or fish for the same flavor and crunch. Craig Ruff, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fish for 

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Cite this Entry

“Fish for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fish%20for. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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