fishing expedition

noun

1

law

a

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

b

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

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

Rollins, however, likened the Herald’s questions about her use of taxpayer funds to a fishing expedition, on Monday. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 12 Aug. 2026

Continue reading … MIND THE GAP — Gavin Newsom's 'fishing expedition' claim has a serious timeline problem. — FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

The governor’s office characterized the investigation as a fishing expedition. — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Sometimes that critique is known as a fishing expedition, an unfocused and far-reaching hunt for any possible wrongdoing even if completely unrelated to the case. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fishing expedition

• superimposition
• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition

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