Fish Idioms

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take the bait

Meaning: Falling for a trap, especially one that manipulates you into an unfavorable situation.

Example: She always tries to provoke him, and he takes the bait every time. Read more ➺


kettle of fish

Meaning: A messy, confusing, or troublesome situation.

Example: After the team leader quit unexpectedly, it left us with a fine kettle of fish right before the deadline. Read more ➺


shooting fish in a barrel

Meaning: Describes a task that is exceedingly simple to accomplish, often implying an unfair advantage due to the lack of challenge.

Example: Winning the debate against an unprepared opponent was like shooting fish in a barrel. Read more ➺


packed like sardines

Meaning: Describes a situation where individuals are positioned extremely close together, leaving little to no space for movement.

Example: During rush hour, commuters were packed like sardines on the subway. Read more ➺


fish or cut bait

Meaning: Instructing someone to either proceed with an activity or abandon it entirely, emphasizing the need to make a decision and act upon it.

Example: The project has stalled; it's time to fish or cut bait. Read more ➺


thar she blows

Meaning: Used humorously to indicate that something is erupting or exploding, or about to do so.

Example: As the geyser erupted, he exclaimed, thar she blows! Read more ➺


loaves and fishes

Meaning: The term "loaves and fishes" refers to material or worldly benefits or rewards, often gained from exploiting religious or spiritual activities.

Example: Many critics argue that some televangelists are more interested in loaves and fishes than in genuine ministry. Read more ➺


bigger fish to fry

Meaning: to have other, more important things to do.

Example: You are not worth my time or energy; I have bigger fish to fry. Read more ➺


fish rots from the head down

Meaning: poor leadership leads to the decline of an organization.

Example: The company was bound to be closed sooner or later, considering the kind of managers that they had hired. A fish rots from the head down, after all. Read more ➺


hook, line, and sinker

Meaning: used to highlight the fact that a person has been utterly deceived or fooled.

Example: I can't believe she fell for that prank hook, line, and sinker. Read more ➺


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