fish for information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fish for information" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to try to find out relevant information by asking people questions. For example, "I went to the party and fished for information about the new project the company is working on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He discussed the way cunning mediums subtly fish for information and the network of professional spiritualists who shared information.

The New York Times - Books

Republicans have vigorously argued against the request, saying that whatever justification Democrats produce will belie their true intent: to fish for information that could embarrass the president politically.

The New York Times

While political operatives and journalists fish for information about the status of Gov. Frank Keating of Oklahoma in the Republican vice-presidential sweepstakes, Mr. Keating is actually set to go fishing in Alaska next week.

The New York Times

Our job at the end of the day is to fish for information and the more time I can spend doing that the better". Pascoe-Watson has plenty of experience at the journalistic coalface.

The Guardian

She added that his continued refusal was motivated by a conviction that "the grand jury was being used in a manner to fish for information about the political movements he's been involved in".

The New York Times

Liquidnet has an average trade size of more than 50,000 shares and regularly removes members it believes are using the dark pool to fish for information.Such restrictions on access have a cost, however.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

At the William Morris Agency, Ms. Altea asked all the widows at once, "Which of your husbands was the football player?" It was the kind of fishing-for-information question that skeptics flag as duplicitous.

The New York Times - Style

He was just fishing for information, looking for a story".

The New York Times - Magazine

Yes, the woman is clearly fishing for information.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The name derives from the idea of "fishing" for information.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fishing for Information The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers Seafood Watch, an online database that helps consumers choose their fish based on health and environmental factors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fish for information" when you want to convey the idea of subtly trying to extract information from someone, rather than directly asking for it. This idiom adds a layer of nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fish for information" when a direct request is more appropriate. Overusing this idiom can make your writing seem unnecessarily indirect or manipulative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fish for information" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the action of subtly trying to extract information from someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "fish for information" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of subtly attempting to extract details. As Ludwig AI states, it conveys indirectness in acquiring information. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Related phrases include "seek information" and "elicit information", each with nuances related to formality and directness. Remember to use it when subtlety is key and avoid overuse to maintain clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek information

A more formal and direct way of expressing the action of trying to get information.

probe for information

Suggests a careful and strategic questioning to uncover details.

solicit information

Suggests a more proactive and sometimes official request for information.

elicit information

Suggests drawing out information, often from someone unwilling to share it.

ferret out information

Suggests a persistent and determined search to uncover secret information.

inquire about information

A polite and formal way to ask for information.

extract information

Implies a careful and sometimes difficult process of obtaining information.

dig up information

Implies a thorough search, often uncovering hidden or obscure information.

glean information

Implies gathering information bit by bit, often from various sources.

source information

Focuses on identifying and obtaining information from a specific origin or provider.

FAQs

What does it mean to "fish for information"?

To "fish for information" means to try to find out information indirectly, often by asking subtle questions or using other roundabout methods.

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

You might say, "The journalist tried to fish for information about the scandal during the press conference."

What can I say instead of "fish for information"?

You can use alternatives like "seek information", "elicit information", or "probe for information" depending on the context.

Is "fish for information" the same as "phishing"?

No, "fish for information" is an idiom referring to subtle questioning. "Phishing" is a cybercrime where someone attempts to obtain sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and credit card details by disguising themselves as a trustworthy entity.