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
Recent Examples on the Web
The Dolphins initially slow-dragged the team’s coaching search that offseason new part-owner Bruce Beal would reel in the big fish for the franchise.
—
Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Go for grand slam Arkansas Game and Fish Commission invites anglers to fish for a 2025 Grand Slam Award.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Upon the closing of the legendary hatch, a virtual hurricane blasted Goldberg inside the contraption, with Stitch gleefully running around its perimeter as Goldberg fished for a card holding the lucky number of one audience member who would ultimately win the trip.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
While in the park, visitors can boat on Seneca Lake or in the nearby Greenbrier River, explore 23 miles of hiking and biking trails, or fish for trout, bass, and bluegill.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fish for
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Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Go for grand slam Arkansas Game and Fish Commission invites anglers to fish for a 2025 Grand Slam Award.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Upon the closing of the legendary hatch, a virtual hurricane blasted Goldberg inside the contraption, with Stitch gleefully running around its perimeter as Goldberg fished for a card holding the lucky number of one audience member who would ultimately win the trip.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
While in the park, visitors can boat on Seneca Lake or in the nearby Greenbrier River, explore 23 miles of hiking and biking trails, or fish for trout, bass, and bluegill.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fish for
Cite this Entry
“Fish for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fish%20for. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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