An attempt to discover information without knowing what it may be. The term implies that the search does not have a specific subject but is rather performed in the hopes that some new information will be found that will be beneficial to the searcher. Primarily heard in US. The defense attorney objected to the vague line of questioning, accusing the prosecutor of engaging in a fishing expedition.

To attempt to elicit praise from someone, typically by saying negative things about oneself. We know you're a smart kind, Dan. You don't need to fish for compliments by talking about the one C you got. Tara's always fishing for compliments by talking about how she couldn't get her hair the way she wanted it.

To try to capitalize on or benefit from a situation, circumstance, or experience that is fraught with disorder, difficulty, confusion, stress, etc. No one really thought about the money lenders who were making cash hand over fist during the recession, fishing in the troubled waters many homeowners and small businesses found themselves in.

In pursuit of something at the lowest possible price, even if the quality is compromised as a result. I know you want to go bottom fishing, but make sure you're ultimately still getting a good product.

To yank or pluck something up out of something else (likened to catching a fish on a fishing line). A noun or pronoun can be used between "fish" and "up." It took me a minute to fish my keys up out of my bag. I reached into the tank and fished up a large lobster.

To yank or pluck something up out of something else (likened to catching a fish on a fishing line). A noun or pronoun can be used between "fish" and "up." It took me a minute to fish my keys up out of my bag. I reached in and fished a large lobster up out of the tank.

The act of a non-black person, most often a white woman, altering their appearance so as to appear black and/or incorporating aspects of black culture and beauty into their appearance. The term is intended as a criticism of such actions and is based on the word "catfishing," the act of misrepresenting oneself with a false identity, typically through online correspondence. People are saying this one influencer is blackfishing, and I can see why since she's using makeup to make her skin look much darker.