Fish Idioms

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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 ➺


a fish out of water

Meaning: being uncomfortable and restless

Example: Our new teacher looked like a fish out of the water, nobody was aware of the issue. Read more ➺


red herring

Meaning: something irrelevant that distracts you from something important

Example: The new law is just a red herring meant to draw our attention away from the issues regarding education. Read more ➺


smell something fishy

Meaning: to have a suspicion that something is wrong

Example: The manager smelled something fishy and started an investigation. He eventually found that 3 of the 4 employees were stealing from the store. Read more ➺


a whale of

Meaning: An exceptionally enjoyable experience.

Example: I had a whale of a time exploring the wildlife sanctuary with friends. Read more ➺


fish for a compliment

Meaning: To subtly and indirectly seek praise, validation, or admiration from others.

Example: He's always fishing for a compliment when he says he can't draw—even though his art is great. Read more ➺


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