fish for

fish for (something)

1. Literally, to seek a particular kind of fish while fishing. I heard we're fishing for salmon today.
2. To grope around for something with one's hands. I'm fishing for your phone under the couch, but I don't think it's down here, Mom!
3. To pursue something indirectly, often compliments, as by saying negative things about oneself. Quit fishing for compliments—we all liked your performance, OK?
See also: fish
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fish for something

 
1. Lit. to try to catch a particular kind of fish. We are fishing for cod today, but we'll take whatever we get. We will fish for perch from the riverbank.
2. Fig. to seek some kind of information. You could tell the lawyer was fishing for something from the vague way she asked the questions. The telephone caller was fishing for too much information, so I hung up.
See also: fish
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

fish for

1. Try to obtain something through artifice or indirectly. For example, He was always fishing for compliments, or, as William Makepeace Thackeray put it in Vanity Fair (1848): "The first woman who fishes for him, hooks him." [Mid-1500s]
2. Search for something, as in I've fished for it in all the drawers. [First half of 1700s]
See also: fish
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

fish for

v.
To seek something by or as if by probing: I fished for my blue socks in the top drawer of the dresser. Instead of just fishing for compliments, you should try to get constructive criticism.
See also: fish
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • fish for (something)
  • fish around
  • feel around
  • feel around (for someone or something)
  • feel about (for someone or something)
  • fish out
  • wriggle off the hook
  • bottom fishing
  • one's way of life
  • way of life
References in periodicals archive
First was Greg Norris with 4 fish for 13 lb 4 1/2oz, which included the HSF of 7lb 151/2oz from The Haven.
NEWBIGGIN SAC In their first competition,
Researchers tested children of women who ate at least four pounds a year of PCB-contaminated Lake Michigan fish for six years before thev gave birth.
Fishing for safe seafood
If the catch is kingfish, shark, white croaker, sturgeon, or perch, it's a safe bet it was hauled from the bay by a low-income person of color who is planning on fish for dinner.
Bay anglers organize
In 1986 the FDA inspected six pounds of fish for every million pounds eaten.
Good fish ... bad fish
AMBLE SAC: First was Ian Harrogate with five fish for 8lb 2oz.
CLEADON SAC: 20 rods fished [...]
These prepacked meals sustain young fish for their first few days in the water.
Empty nets: fisheries may be crippling themselves by targeting the big ones
Worldwide, about 1 billion people rely on fish for at least 30% of their animal protein, according to the FAO.
Eating away at a global food source: the state of the oceans, Part 1
SEAHAM SAC BADGER OPEN (25 rods, 12 weighing in 26 fish for a total of 22.07lb): 1 R Carr (lesser spotted dogfish of 2.40lb), 2 J Ritchie (LSD of 2.39lb), 3 S Dickinson (coalfish of 2.01lb).
Competition round-up
However, the area immediately downstream of the dam site had reduced populations of river fish for up to 3 years after dam removal--presumably from the effects of released sediment, Hart says.
Tales of the undammed: removing barriers doesn't automatically restore river health
Evaluation of tests with early life-stages of fish for predicting long term toxicity.
Ecological Risk Assessment of Endocrine Disruptors
AMBLE SAC Summer Open Shore Competition (75 rods, 25 weighed in 58 fish for a total of 137lb 13.5oz): 1 Jimmy Dunn (five fish, 13lb 2.25oz), 2 Colin Bell (three fish, 11lb 0.5oz), 3 Chris Potts (six fish, 10lb 3oz).
COMPETITIONS
At the same time, coastal populations of people who rely on fish for their protein are burgeoning around the globe, says Lester R.
Catch zero: what can be done as marine ecosystems face a deepening crisis?
Inc HSF 6lb 10oz), 2 Tony Cook (two fish 4lb 5oz), 3 Craig Falkous (one fish 2lb 3oz), 4 Gav Lockey (one fish for 1lb 1.5oz).
Take best of care
As for biologists, they prize the fish for having the smallest known genome among vertebrates.
Puffer fish genomes swim into view. (Science news of the week)
First was Ian Hodgkinson (seven fish for 5lb 2oz), second Ray Longstaff (seven fish for 4lb 6oz), and third Andrew Hodgkinson (one fish for 2lb 1oz).
Club competitions