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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Seafood Families in Iceland almost always had fish for one of their daily meals. Claire Volkman, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025 The 60-degree spring waters flowing from Mount Hermon in Syria are ideal for raising fish, Dr. Hurvitz said, so residents of the kibbutz have farmed fish for generations. Jack Nicas, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024 Outdoor adventurers flock to Browns Canyon National Monument to paddle the whitewater rapids of the Arkansas River, hike among the pinyon pine and juniper trees, fish for brown and rainbow trout and admire wildlife like golden eagles and bighorn sheep. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024 When the pair stops fishing for casuals, focusing on impressing each other and the musicians in orbit, the album’s pedigree flashes. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fish for 

Dictionary Entries Near fish for

Cite this Entry

“Fish for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fish%20for. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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