fish for compliments

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "fish for compliments" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who is trying to get positive feedback or praise from other people without actually earning it. For example: "John is always fishing for compliments during meetings, but he never does any work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Swallow pride, accept lack of due appreciation, fish for compliments... anything but a Libran sulk!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She never missed a deadline, didn't fish for compliments, and worked on a carefully calibrated mixture of cigarettes and Dexedrine.

The Guardian - Books

To think that a lot of other people think it's funny and like it, and like my enthusiasm, I am a little surprised, but I'm not trying to fish for compliments".

The New York Times - Sports

Don't fish for compliments.

Huffington Post

I'm not writing this to fish for compliments.

Huffington Post

Words do not stand on street corners and beg for pity, words do not fish for compliments or gratitude.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In one of those transparent fishing-for-compliments-moments, I replied: "Me too".

Vice

She's fat -- and not even in the politically incorrect, fishing-for-compliments way.

Huffington Post

Princess (of Long Island) fishes for compliments.

The New Yorker

(h) "I'd Rather Be Fishing for Compliments!"   12.

The New Yorker

We just win," were not exactly fishing for compliments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fish for compliments" when you want to describe someone who subtly tries to get others to praise them, often by downplaying their own abilities or appearance.

Common error

Avoid using "fish for compliments" when someone is genuinely seeking feedback or expressing vulnerability; the phrase implies a degree of manipulation and insincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fish for compliments" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes an action: the act of subtly or indirectly trying to get other people to say nice things about you. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and recognizable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fish for compliments" is an idiom used to describe someone who subtly tries to elicit praise from others, often through self-deprecation or indirect means. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly understood. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally acceptable, using this phrase can be judgmental, implying insincerity or manipulation. Therefore, be mindful of the context and consider more neutral alternatives like "seeking reassurance" when appropriate. Remember, using "fish for compliments" implies a negative connotation and should be used with care.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fish around for compliments

Adds a sense of aimless searching or hoping for compliments, subtly changing the nuance.

angle for praise

Similar to "fish for compliments" but less common and slightly more suggestive of scheming.

elicit compliments

Highlights the act of drawing compliments out of others, focusing on the action rather than the intent.

want to be praised

A straightforward expression of wanting praise without any implication of indirect methods.

solicit praise

Implies actively asking for praise, which is more overt than "fishing" for it.

seek praise

More direct and lacks the subtle manipulation implied by "fish for compliments".

invite flattery

Suggests creating opportunities or situations where others are likely to flatter.

desire recognition

Focuses on the need for acknowledgement, a broader concept than specifically wanting compliments.

court approval

Focuses on gaining approval, which is a wider concept than simply receiving compliments.

crave admiration

Highlights a deep longing for admiration, suggesting a more intense emotional need.

FAQs

How can I use "fish for compliments" in a sentence?

You can use "fish for compliments" to describe someone who subtly tries to get others to praise them. For example: "She's always "fishing for compliments" by saying she looks terrible, even though she knows she looks great."

What's a less judgmental way to describe someone seeking reassurance?

Instead of saying someone is "fishing for compliments", you could say they are "seeking reassurance" or "looking for validation", which are more neutral ways to describe the behavior.

What is the difference between "fishing for compliments" and being genuinely insecure?

"Fishing for compliments" implies a calculated attempt to gain praise, while genuine insecurity is a deeper feeling of self-doubt that may lead someone to seek reassurance without manipulative intent. The intent is a differentiator.

Are there synonyms for "fish for compliments" that aren't as negative?

Yes, alternatives like "invite praise", "elicit compliments", or even just "seek praise" can be used to describe a similar behavior with less negative connotation.