# fish out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/fish-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To search for by rummaging, and then extract (an item from e.g. a container); to obtain.

## Examples

- I fish out my keys from my deep bag.
- He had to fish out his wallet from the bottom of his backpack to pay for the coffee.
- She paused to fish out a crumpled letter from her coat pocket, her hands trembling slightly as she prepared to read the news.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.