fish out: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘fish out’ mean?
The idiom "fish out" means to find or extract something or someone, often from a difficult or obscure place or situation.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take out" means to remove something or someone from a particular place or situation.
The idiom "kick out" means to forcefully make someone leave or expel them from a place or a group, often due to misbehavior or non-compliance with rules.
The idiom "kettle of fish" refers to a difficult or messy situation. It implies a situation that is full of complications, problems, or confusion.
The idiom "jump out" means to stand out or be noticeable due to its distinct or unusual characteristics.
The idiom "ins and outs" refers to the intricate details or complexities of a particular situation or activity.
The idiom "have other fish to fry" means to have other more important or interesting things to do or be concerned with.
The idiom "go out of one's way" means to make an extra effort or to do something that is not required or expected, often to help someone else or to achieve a specific goal.
The idiom "go out" means to leave one's home or current location for social or recreational purposes.
The idiom "gone fishing" is used to indicate that someone is taking a break or not available, often to imply that they are avoiding or neglecting responsibilities.
The idiom "go fish" means to request for someone to provide a requested item of information or to seek out something that is desired or needed. It is often used to indicate that the person being asked does not possess or know the desired item.
Uncovering the Catch
The idiom fish out is commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to the act of locating or uncovering something hidden or difficult to find. It has both a literal and a figurative meaning, and its origins can be traced back to the fishing industry.
In its literal sense, fish out describes the action of catching or removing fish from a body of water. This process involves using tools such as fishing rods or nets to catch the fish. The idiom can also be used to describe the outcome of successfully catching fish. However, fish out is more frequently used in a figurative sense.
In its figurative sense, fish out is used to describe the act of locating or uncovering something that is hidden or difficult to find. This can apply to various situations, such as finding information, solving a problem, or revealing the truth. The idiom implies the need for careful searching or investigation in order to uncover what is hidden beneath the surface.
The use of fish out in everyday conversation is often seen in phrases such as "fish out the details," "fish out the truth," or "fish out the key information." These phrases convey the idea of actively seeking or uncovering important or hidden elements in a given situation. The idiom suggests that the process of finding or revealing something requires effort and persistence, much like the act of fishing.
One related idiom is "fish out of water" which refers to someone who is in a situation or environment that they are unfamiliar with or uncomfortable in. The phrase implies that the person feels out of place or like they don't belong. It can be used to describe someone who is struggling or having difficulty adapting to a new situation.
Another related idiom is "take out" which can have multiple meanings depending on the context. In the context of fish out, "take out" can refer to the act of removing or extracting something from a hidden or difficult to reach location. It can also be used to describe the act of eliminating or getting rid of something entirely.
The origin of fish out as an idiom can be traced back to its literal meaning in the fishing industry. The act of catching fish has long been symbolic of the process of searching or pursuing something. Over time, this association has evolved into the figurative sense of fish out, where it is used to describe the act of uncovering or locating something that is not easily visible or accessible.
Fish out is a versatile idiom that can be applied to various contexts and is commonly used in everyday conversation. Its use suggests the need for active searching or investigation in order to uncover what is hidden beneath the surface. While its origins can be traced back to the fishing industry, the idiom has taken on a figurative meaning that resonates with a wider audience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of persistence and effort in the process of uncovering hidden truths or information.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "fish out" can be used in a sentence:
1. He used a long stick to fish out the keys that had fallen into the pond.
2. The detective had to fish out the truth from the suspect's convoluted story.
3. She reached into her purse to fish out some loose change for the parking meter.
More "Verb" idioms
