fishing expedition
noun
1
: a legal interrogation or examination to discover information for a later proceeding
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
Joseph Mansfield, chief assistant Monroe County state attorney, told the Miami Herald that passengers on the boat told FWC investigators that the captain, 42-year-old Laurence Lewis, was drinking from a tequila bottle the entire fishing expedition.
—
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024
There are snorkeling trips and fishing expeditions; the catch of which NaiSabah’s chef, Junior, prepares for dinner.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 7 May 2024
The dishes were crafted from the Lodge's pesticide-free garden and with fresh catches from their fishing expeditions.
—Josephine Wong, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Apr. 2024
In other words, there would be new restrictions on pretextual stops, which disproportionately subject Black and Latino drivers to ineffective fishing expeditions for more serious crimes.
—Erika D. Smithcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for fishing expedition 
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024
There are snorkeling trips and fishing expeditions; the catch of which NaiSabah’s chef, Junior, prepares for dinner.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 7 May 2024
The dishes were crafted from the Lodge's pesticide-free garden and with fresh catches from their fishing expeditions.
—Josephine Wong, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Apr. 2024
In other words, there would be new restrictions on pretextual stops, which disproportionately subject Black and Latino drivers to ineffective fishing expeditions for more serious crimes.
—Erika D. Smithcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for fishing expedition
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fishing expedition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fishing expedition
Cite this Entry
“Fishing expedition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fishing%20expedition. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share