fish

fish¹ W1S2 [fıʃ] n plural fish or fishes

[: Old English; Origin: fisc; related to Pisces]

1.)

an animal that lives in water, and uses its ↑fins and tail to swim

▪ Ronny caught three huge fish this afternoon.

▪ Over 1,500 different species of fish inhabit the waters around the reef.

▪ The stonefish is the most deadly of all fishes.

▪ The lake is well stocked with fish (=fish have been put into the lake) .

freshwater/saltwater/tropical fish

a shoal/school of fish

(=a large group of fish swimming together)

2.) [U]

the flesh of a fish used as food

→↑seafood

▪ One usually drinks white wine with fish.

3.) (be/feel) like a fish out of water

to feel uncomfortable because you feel you do not belong in a place or situation

▪ I felt like a fish out of water in my new school.

4.) there are plenty more fish in the sea

used to tell someone whose relationship has ended that there are other people they can have a relationship with

5.) neither fish nor fowl

neither one thing nor another

6.) have other/bigger fish to fry informal

to have other things to do, especially more important things

7.) odd fish/queer fish

BrE old-fashioned someone who is slightly strange or crazy

8.) cold fish

an unfriendly person who seems to have no strong feelings

9.) a big fish in a little/small pond

someone who is important in or who has influence over a very small area

→drink like a fish at ↑drink¹ (2), another/a different kettle of fish at ↑kettle

fish ²

fish² v

1.)

to try to catch fish

→↑fishing

▪ Dad really loves to fish.

fish for

▪ a Japanese vessel fishing for tuna in the Eastern Pacific

2.) [I always +adverb/preposition] [i]informal

to search for something in a bag, pocket etc

fish about/around

▪ She fished around in her purse and pulled out a photo.

fish for

▪ Chris fished in his pocket for a coin.

3.) [T]

to try to catch fish in a particular area of water

→↑fishing

▪ Other nations are forbidden to fish the waters within 200 miles of the coast.

4.) fish for compliments

to try to make someone say something nice about you, usually by first criticizing yourself - used to show disapproval

▪ It's sickening the way he's always fishing for compliments.

5.) [I]

to try to find out information, without asking directly

▪ 'Are you here with your wife?' she asked, fishing.

fish out [fish sb/sth<=>out]

a) to pull someone or something out of water

fish somebody/something<=>out of

▪ The body was fished out of the East River a week later.

b) to find something after searching through a bag, pocket etc, and take it out

fish somebody/something<=>out of

▪ Eric fished a peppermint out of the bag.