ENGLISH
REFERENCE

go fish

idiom
Meaning

No, as a firm negative response.


Origin

disputed origin

Response used in the card game Go Fish.

Examples
SIMPLE

If you want to borrow my car, you can go fish.

CONTEXTUAL

He asked for a raise after only one week, but his boss told him to go fish.

COMPLEX

When the lobbyist demanded special favors from the senator, she looked him in the eye and told him to go fish.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all dressed up and nowhere to go

    Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.

  2. 02

    all systems go

    Everything is ready.

  3. 03

    as you go

    While one is doing (something); as one progresses.

  4. 04

    big fish

    An important person.

  5. 05

    big fish in a small pond

    One who has achieved a high rank or is highly esteemed, but only in a small, relatively unimportant, or little known location or organization.

  6. 06

    bigger fish to fry

    A much more pressing issue to attend to.

  7. 07

    boldly go where no man has gone before

    To break new ground.

  8. 08

    cold fish

    A heartless individual; a person lacking empathy and emotion.

Last updated April 17, 2026