fish
fish — noun
1. a cold-blooded animal with fins and scales that spends its whole life in water;
a cold-blooded animal with fins and scales that spends its whole life in water; also, the meat from this animal eaten as food.
Ayesha watched a small orange fish swim past the coral.
countable: a fish refers to one animal
We had grilled fish with lemon and steamed vegetables for dinner.
uncountable: fish as food
The pond in the park has goldfish and a few larger fish.
Most fish need clean water with enough oxygen to survive.
- fresh fish
- raw fish
- fried fish
- tropical fish
- freshwater fish
- saltwater fish
Grammar Patterns
fish (countable, animal)
fish (uncountable, food)
Common Mistakes
2. a person who behaves in an unusual or odd way that makes them seem different fro
a person who behaves in an unusual or odd way that makes them seem different from others.
The new neighbour is a strange fish who never talks to anyone.
pattern: a + adjective + fish
Talia felt like a cold fish at the party because she did not know anyone.
People at the office think Christopher is a bit of an odd fish.
The old fisherman was a queer fish who lived alone on the hill.
- odd fish
- queer fish
- strange fish
- cold fish
Grammar Patterns
a + adjective + fish
Usage Note
Almost always used with an adjective (odd fish, queer fish, strange fish, cold fish). The adjective specifies the type of oddness.
Common Mistakes
Used to say that something is extremely easy to do.
For an experienced chef, baking this cake is like shooting fish in a barrel.
Winning that game was like shooting fish in a barrel for the champion.
Someone who is important or powerful within a small group or community.
In our small town, the mayor is a big fish in a small pond.
Sara was a big fish at her local club, but felt lost in the national competition.
a cold fish
idiomA person who seems unfriendly and shows little emotion.
Our new neighbor is a cold fish; he never says hello.
Maya's boss is a cold fish who rarely smiles at anyone.
A completely different situation or thing from what was just mentioned.
Playing chess is easy, but playing against a grandmaster is a different kettle of fish.
I can handle a small party, but organizing a wedding is a different kettle of fish.
drink like a fish
idiomTo drink a lot of alcohol, usually regularly.
Uncle Tom drinks like a fish at every family gathering.
After losing his job, Brian started drinking like a fish every night.
a fish out of water
idiomSomeone who feels uncomfortable because they are in an unfamiliar situation.
At the fancy dinner party, Diego felt like a fish out of water.
When I started my new job, I was a fish out of water for the first week.
To have more important or more interesting things to do.
I can't help you with that; I have bigger fish to fry.
The manager had other fish to fry, so she skipped the meeting.
Something that does not clearly belong to any particular category.
The new hybrid vehicle is neither fish nor fowl—it's part car, part bike.
His art style is neither fish nor fowl, mixing realism and abstract.
an odd/a queer fish
idiomA person who is strange or eccentric.
The old man who collects bottle caps is a bit of an odd fish.
Our new math teacher is a queer fish; he wears mismatched socks every day.
Used to comfort someone after a romantic breakup, meaning there are many other possible partners.
Don't worry about your ex; there are plenty more fish in the sea.
After her breakup, her friends told her there are plenty more fish in the sea.
fish — verb
1. to try catching fish using equipment such as a rod or net, for food or recreatio
to try catching fish using equipment such as a rod or net, for food or recreation in rivers, lakes, or the sea.
My grandfather taught me how to fish when I was seven.
intransitive: to fish (no object)
The local fishermen fish these coastal waters every morning.
transitive: fish [a body of water]
Élise went fishing with her cousins at the lake near their cabin.
Commercial fishers in Alaska fish for salmon in the rivers during the summer months.
pattern: fish for [species]
- go fishing
- fish for salmon
- fish for trout
- fish the river
- fishing boat
- fishing rod
- angle
formal or literary term for fishing with a rod and line
Grammar Patterns
fish (no object)
fish + noun phrase (a river / an area / a species)
Common Mistakes
2. to look for something hidden inside a bag, pocket, or container by moving your f
to look for something hidden inside a bag, pocket, or container by moving your fingers or hand around inside it.
Élise fished in her handbag for the keys but could not find them.
pattern: fish in [container] for [object]
Christopher fished around in the dark drawer looking for a pair of scissors.
The plumber fished inside the pipe and pulled out a clump of hair.
Tamás fished a coin from his pocket and dropped it into the fare box.
pattern: fish + object + out of [container]
- fish in a pocket
- fish for keys
- fish in a bag
- fish out a coin
Grammar Patterns
fish + in/around/through + noun phrase
fish + noun phrase + out of/from + noun phrase
Usage Note
Frequently used with particles or prepositions: fish for, fish around, fish in, fish through, fish out of. The object is often something small (coins, keys, a pen).
3. to attempt to obtain information, praise, or a reaction from someone in a rounda
to attempt to obtain information, praise, or a reaction from someone in a roundabout way, instead of asking them directly.
The journalist kept fishing for details about the company's secret project.
pattern: fish for [information/details]
Hana could tell her friend was fishing for compliments about her new dress.
common collocation: fish for compliments
Stop fishing for an invitation and just tell them you want to come.
The lawyer was politely fishing for any information about the accident witness.
- fish for compliments
- fish for information
- fish for details
- fish for an invitation
Grammar Patterns
fish for + noun phrase (information, compliments, details, an invitation)
Usage Note
Almost always used with the preposition for followed by an abstract noun (compliments, information, details, an invitation, praise). The tone is usually critical — the person is being manipulative or fake.
Common Mistakes
4. to catch so many fish from a particular river, lake, or ocean area that almost n
to catch so many fish from a particular river, lake, or ocean area that almost no fish are left there.
The lake was fished out years ago and no one catches anything there anymore.
passive: be fished out
This river will soon be fished out if boats keep catching all the salmon.
Many coastal regions in the North Sea have been completely fished out.
The government closed the fishing grounds after scientists confirmed they were fished out.
- fish out a lake
- fish out a river
- completely fished out
- fished out by trawlers
- overfish
emphasises the excessive catching rather than the depleted result
- restock
to put fish back into a river or lake
Grammar Patterns
be fished out (no object)
fish out + noun phrase (a river, a lake, an area)
Usage Note
Most common in the passive voice (be fished out). The active form fish out [a body of water] is also used but less frequent. Closely related to the noun overfishing.
5. in cricket and baseball, describing a batter who swings at a ball bowled or pitc
in cricket and baseball, describing a batter who swings at a ball bowled or pitched far from their normal hitting zone, often missing or making poor contact with it.
The batsman fished at a wide delivery and edged the ball to the wicketkeeper.
pattern: fish at [delivery]
Rania fished outside off stump and was almost caught at first slip.
A baseball batter who fishes at a bad pitch often ends up striking out.
The coach warned the junior players not to fish at balls outside the strike zone.
- fish at a ball
- fish outside off stump
Grammar Patterns
fish at + noun phrase (a ball, a delivery)
Usage Note
Very specific to cricket and baseball commentary. In cricket, usually describes a batsman reaching for a ball outside off stump. Not used in everyday conversation.
fish out
phrasal verbto pull or remove something from a place where it was hidden or stuck, using your hands or a tool.
The mechanic fished the old screw out of the engine with a pair of tweezers.
Aoi fished her phone out from between the sofa cushions.
fish for
phrasal verbto try to get a reaction or piece of information from someone in a subtle or indirect way.
The candidate was obviously fishing for a reaction when she made that comment.
Stop fishing for praise and just tell us what you actually achieved.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Fish refers specifically to aquatic creatures with fins and scales, or their meat. Seafood is a broader category that includes fish plus shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, mussels) and other edible sea creatures. Shellfish refers only to aquatic animals with a shell, such as crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and mollusks. For example: 'I like fish but I am allergic to shellfish like shrimp and crab.' At a restaurant, 'seafood platter' may include fish, shrimp, and clams, whereas a 'fish dish' contains only fish.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word fish comes from Old English fisc, which goes back to the Proto-Germanic *fiskaz. This root is related to Latin piscis and Greek ichthys, all pointing to an ancient Indo-European word for the water-dwelling animal. The verb use (to fish) developed naturally from the noun in Old English.