fishing for information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fishing for information" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to attempts, both direct and indirect, to solicit information from someone. For example, "My boss was fishing for information about my career plans during our one-on-one meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

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

"What happened?" It was easy, he found, to affect the concerned tone of an adviser, when really he was fishing for information.

The New Yorker

He's reluctant to show his hand, unless it levels the field in a potentially nasty encounter or gives him a tactical advantage while out fishing for information.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

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

The New York Times - Books

In the book, Radomski implies that Mitchell fished for information from him in several instances, looking for evidence about high-profile players about whom Mitchell had suspicions.

The New York Times - Sports

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fishing for information", ensure the context implies a subtle or indirect attempt to gain knowledge, rather than a straightforward request.

Common error

Avoid using "fishing for information" when describing a direct request for data; instead, use terms like "requesting information" or "conducting research".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fishing for information" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting its role in describing attempts to elicit information discreetly. The phrase acts as a figurative verb phrase, modifying a subject and implying a specific manner of information gathering.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic phrase "fishing for information" is a common and correct expression used to describe the act of subtly or indirectly trying to obtain information. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in a variety of contexts, primarily news and media, but also in wiki and scientific sources. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider the subtlety implied by the phrase and avoid using it when describing direct requests. Alternatives like "seeking information" or "extracting information" may be more appropriate in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking information

Focuses on the act of searching rather than the subtle or indirect approach.

extracting information

Emphasizes the removal or derivation of information from a source.

soliciting information

Highlights a more direct and overt request for information.

prying for information

Suggests a more intrusive or nosy manner of seeking information.

digging up information

Implies uncovering information that is hidden or difficult to find.

probing for details

Emphasizes a careful and thorough investigation to obtain specific details.

inquisitive investigation

Highlights the questioning and examining nature of the information retrieval.

gathering intelligence

Refers to collecting information, often in a strategic or secretive manner.

unearthing details

Similar to digging up, but with a stronger connotation of revealing something previously unknown.

ferreting out information

Suggests a persistent and determined search for information.

FAQs

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

You can use "fishing for information" to describe someone subtly trying to get details, like: "During the meeting, he was clearly "fishing for information" about the upcoming merger."

What are some alternatives to "fishing for information"?

Alternatives include "seeking information", "extracting information", or "soliciting information", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "fishing for information" a formal or informal expression?

"Fishing for information" is generally considered an informal expression, but it's acceptable in many contexts, including news and media. More formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or business writing.

What's the difference between "fishing for information" and "hunting for information"?

"Fishing for information" implies a subtle or indirect approach, while "hunting for information" suggests a more direct and active search.