# go fish

idiom

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

## Meaning

No, as a firm negative response.

## Examples

- If you want to borrow my car, you can go fish.
- He asked for a raise after only one week, but his boss told him to go fish.
- When the lobbyist demanded special favors from the senator, she looked him in the eye and told him to go fish.

## Origin

Derived from the card game of the same name, in which the phrase serves as the formal response when a player does not possess the card requested by an opponent. It functions as an instruction to draw from the remaining deck.

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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.