Fish Idioms

Fish idioms are a unique and interesting aspect of the English language that can add color and depth to everyday conversation. These idioms are expressions that use fish-related words and phrases to convey a particular meaning or sentiment. They are often used in both formal and informal settings, and their popularity has only grown with time.

List of Fish Idioms

Fish Idioms
Fish Idioms – Created by 7ESL
  • (On a) Fishing Expedition
  • A Cold Fish
  • Big Fish
  • Fish Out of Water
  • Make Fish of One and Fowl of the Other
  • Different Kettle of Fish
  • All Is Fish That Comes To His Net
  • Better Fish To Fry
  • Big Fish In A Small Pond
  • Cry Stinking Fish (UK)
  • Drink Like A Fish
  • Fish For A Compliment
  • Like Shooting Fish In A Barrel
  • Neither Fish Nor Fowl
  • Teach A Man To Fish
  • The Cat Would Eat Fish But Would Not Wet Her Feet
  • What’s That Got To Do With The Price of Fish? (UK)
  • A Fish Story

Fish Idioms with Meaning and Examples

List of fish idioms and expressions with meaning and example sentences.

(On a) Fishing Expedition

  • Meaning: Looking for evidence without any solid suspicion of wrongdoing.
  • Example: The detective was on a fishing expedition, hoping to find some clues that would help him solve the case.

A Cold Fish

  • Meaning: Someone who is unemotional or unresponsive.
  • Example: My boss is a cold fish, he never smiles or shows any emotion.

Big Fish

  • Meaning: Someone who is important or influential.
  • Example: The CEO of the company is a big fish, he makes all the important decisions.

Fish Out of Water

  • Meaning: Someone who is in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation.
  • Example: Being at the party made me feel like a fish out of water, I didn’t know anyone there.

Make Fish of One and Fowl of the Other

  • Meaning: To create confusion or mix things up.
  • Example: The new employee made fish of one and fowl of the other by getting all the files mixed up.

Different Kettle of Fish

  • Meaning: Something that is completely different from what was previously discussed.
  • Example: I thought we were talking about going to the beach, but now you’re talking about hiking? That’s a different kettle of fish.

All Is Fish That Comes To His Net

  • Meaning: Someone who is successful at everything they do.
  • Example: John is so lucky, everything he tries seems to work out for him. All is fish that comes to his net.

Better Fish To Fry

  • Meaning: To have more important things to do.
  • Example: I can’t come to the party tonight, I have better fish to fry.

Big Fish In A Small Pond

  • Meaning: Someone who is important or influential in a small group or community.
  • Example: He may be a big fish in a small pond, but he’s not well-known outside of his hometown.

Cry Stinking Fish (UK)

  • Meaning: To criticize oneself or make derogatory remarks.
  • Example: She’s always crying stinking fish, she needs to learn to be more confident.

Drink Like A Fish

  • Meaning: To drink alcohol excessively.
  • Example: He drank like a fish at the party last night and ended up getting sick.

Fish For A Compliment

  • Meaning: To try to get someone to compliment you.
  • Example: She’s always fishing for compliments, it’s really annoying.

Like Shooting Fish In A Barrel

  • Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
  • Example: With all the resources we have, this project will be like shooting fish in a barrel.

Neither Fish Nor Fowl

  • Meaning: Something that is hard to classify or define.
  • Example: This new restaurant is neither fish nor fowl, I can’t tell if it’s a bar or a restaurant.

Teach A Man To Fish

  • Meaning: To teach someone a skill that will benefit them for life.
  • Example: Instead of just giving him money, I decided to teach him how to fish so he could support himself.

The Cat Would Eat Fish But Would Not Wet Her Feet

  • Meaning: Someone who is very particular about doing things.
  • Example: She’s so picky, the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet.

What’s That Got To Do With The Price of Fish? (UK)

  • Meaning: To ask someone what something has to do with the current situation.
  • Example: What’s that got to do with the price of fish? We’re talking about something completely different.

A Fish Story

  • Meaning: A story that is exaggerated or untrue.
  • Example: He told us a fish story about how he caught a huge fish, but we all know it’s not true.