Fish for Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To try to get information, compliments, or an answer from someone in an indirect way, often by hinting or asking careful questions.
Usage & Nuances
'Fish for' is informal and commonly used with 'compliments,' 'information,' or 'answers.' It implies someone is not being direct, possibly to avoid awkwardness or to manipulate the conversation. Not about literal fishing.
Spanish: buscar (indirectamente) - tantearPortuguese (BR): pescar (indiretamente) - sondarPortuguese (PT): pescar (indiretamente) - sondarChinese (Simplified): 试探 - 套话Chinese (Traditional): 試探 - 套話Hindi: आड़े-तिरछे तरीके से जानकारी लेनाArabic: يبحث عن (بطريقة غير مباشرة) - يتحسسBengali: ইঙ্গিতে জানা চেষ্টা করা - প্রশংসা পাওয়ার চেষ্টা করাRussian: намекать с целью узнать - выведывать (информацию, ответ, комплимент)Japanese: ほのめかして探る - 褒め言葉を引き出そうとするVietnamese: gợi ý để lấy thông tin - dò hỏi (một cách gián tiếp)Korean: 돌려서 정보를 얻으려 하다 - 칭찬을 유도하다Turkish: üstü kapalı bilgi almaya çalışmak - iltifat koparmaya çalışmakUrdu: بالواسطہ معلومات حاصل کرنا - تعریف کروانے کی کوشش کرناIndonesian: mencari-cari (pujian, informasi, jawaban) secara tidak langsung
Example Sentences
He always fishes for compliments about his cooking.
basic
She tried to fish for information about the new project.
basic
Don’t fish for answers during the test.
basic
Are you fishing for sympathy after that tough week?
natural
Stop fishing for praise and just do your job.
natural
He kept fishing for hints about his birthday gift, but no one told him anything.
natural