verb
fish
To try to find or draw something out.
He fishes in his pocket for the missing key.
Etymology
The figurative verb transfers the search for fish to other targets. Someone fishes for information or an object by probing until the desired thing is drawn out.
More examples
- She was fishing for a compliment.
- We fished the toy out from behind the sofa.
- He kept fishing for information about the surprise.
Forms
fish · fishes · fished · fishing