ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fishing expedition

idiom
Meaning

A search for information, especially incriminating information, that is conducted without specific direction or goal, in the hope that something may turn up.


Examples
SIMPLE

The police are on a fishing expedition to find any evidence of crime.

CONTEXTUAL

The lawyer's questions felt like a fishing expedition, as he had no proof and was just hoping to find a mistake.

COMPLEX

The audit quickly devolved into a fishing expedition, with investigators scouring every financial record in hopes of uncovering some hidden irregularity.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    bottom fishing

    Buying, or seeking opportunities to buy, investment securities or other valuable properties at a time when markets are depressed and prices are low.

  2. 02

    gone fishing

    Unavailable, having taken time off for recreation.

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