fishing expedition

noun

1

: a legal interrogation or examination to discover information for a later proceeding

2

: an investigation that does not stick to a stated objective but hopes to uncover incriminating or newsworthy evidence

Examples of fishing expedition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Named after the old-fashioned Gaelic name for the assisting attendant on highland hunting or fishing expeditions, Ghillie's Pantry is stocked with whisky for private tastings with in-house expert Dario, who will fling your taste buds all around Scotland, dram by dram. —Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 16 July 2024

Joseph Mansfield, chief assistant Monroe County state attorney, told the Miami Herald that passengers on the boat told FWC investigators that the captain, 42-year-old Laurence Lewis, was drinking from a tequila bottle the entire fishing expedition. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024

There are snorkeling trips and fishing expeditions; the catch of which NaiSabah’s chef, Junior, prepares for dinner. —Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 7 May 2024

The dishes were crafted from the Lodge's pesticide-free garden and with fresh catches from their fishing expeditions. —Josephine Wong, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

fishing expedition

noun

fish·​ing ex·​pe·​di·​tion

-ˌek-spə-ˈdi-shən

1

: an inquiry (as by the use of discovery) that is unnecessarily extensive or unrelated to the lawsuit

2

: an investigation that does not stick to a stated objective but hopes to uncover incriminating or newsworthy evidence