goldfish

a goldfish bowl

A place, situation, or environment in which one has little or no privacy. A reference to the (typically) spherical bowls in which pet fish are often kept, which can be seen into from all sides. One of the prices of success for a pop star is having to live in a goldfish bowl under the scrutiny of the public eye. I feel like I'm in a goldfish bowl working at this new company, with all their security cameras posted everywhere.
See also: bowl, goldfish
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

goldfish bowl

A situation affording no privacy, as in Being in a goldfish bowl comes with the senator's job-there's no avoiding it. The glass bowl allowing one to view goldfish from every direction was transferred first, in the 1920s, to a police interrogation room equipped with a one-way mirror. By the mid-1900s the expression was being used more broadly.
See also: bowl, goldfish
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

goldfish bowl

a place or situation lacking privacy.
See also: bowl, goldfish
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a fishbowl
  • a goldfish bowl
  • bowl
  • goldfish bowl
  • pet hate
  • your, his, etc. pet hate
  • rain stopped play
  • be on the warpath
  • be/go on the warpath
  • in/with reference to
References in periodicals archive
Tweep @dianedianamite posted: "Today I saw a video of a goldfish with a wheelchair and now I feel a little better about life."
Goldfish gets wheelchair and social media "loves it"
"Our goldfish are famous among our family and friends.
Britain's oldest goldfish George dies aged 44 leaving owners in tears; Keith Allies, 75, from Worcester, won George at a fair in 1974 for his future wife Mary as a romantic gesture
Founded by the husband-and-wife team of Jenny and Chris McCuiston, Troy, Mich.-based Goldfish began franchising the concept in 2009 and currently has more than 90 schools open or in development in more than 26 states and Canada.
Swim school expands to Suffolk
"We can sit and argue whether goldfish are fairly treated by the fairgrounds, but just because we used to do it isn't a reason to continue doing it.
Fishy debate at council meeting; ROW OVER BAN OF PET PRIZES AT FAIRGROUNDS
Goldfish grow into space they inhabit and can sprout to about 12 inches, Kongsrude said.
'Monster' Goldfish: Canadian City To Use Pesticides To Eradicate Menace
"It is no wonder its cousin, the goldfish, is arguably one of the most resilient pets."
Goldfish newted; Swimming releases alcohol in body
In turn, Goldfish ICT will get access to the global extensive SAP expertise itelligence has to offer.
Germany's itelligence Group Acquires SAP Consulting Firm Goldfish ICT
Goldfish invasions have also been reported in North American waters in the past few years.
Pet turned pest
Many goldfish perish under harsh conditions at markets and kiosks ahead of Now Ruz or at the hands of well-meaning but uninformed holidaymakers.
Setting goldfish free is a controversial issue in Iran
MY one-year-old goldfish has developed a black spot on his tail fin.
Why does my fish have a black spot?
So good that her own mother nicknamed her Goldfish because of the many gold medals she has won.
Luurtsema, Nat. Goldfish
Goldfish, a pocket flashlight in the shape of a fish that sheds light on and offers a voice of reason to Tess' chaotic thoughts.
Silence is Goldfish
A few months before I left New York, someone gave me a goldfish he had won at a funfair, thinking that having a pet would help me feel more rooted in the Big Apple.
Revital Cohen & Tuur Van Balen: Schering Stiftung
A SCOT has sparked outrage on the internet after appearing to swallow a live goldfish on camera in a sick twist on the neknominate craze.
FISHARTIST DOWNS HIS PET
MANY people in Wales keep their fish in tiny goldfish bowls.
Goldfish deserve our compassion; LETTERS