fish for

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 plan was for the Speedwell to remain in North America and fish for cod to salt and dry and take back to help repay the investors who bankrolled the journey. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Families picnic along the shore, and dogs hang out next to owners fishing for rainbow trout. — Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 5 Aug. 2026

Charter boats trolling big bucktails or even umbrella rigs have targeted large, post-spawn fish for decades. — Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Hike beneath towering sandstone cliffs, take on one of the park’s iconic climbing routes, or fly-fish for rainbow trout. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

Rhymes for fish for

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore