Fish Idioms

(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.