Fish–Figures of Speech

fish — Figures of Speech
1. fish (noun)  =  a person, especially a person lacking in (not having enough) something, such as emotions, intelligence; or a person who is easily attracted to something (bait), usually something dangerous or harmful

2. to fish (verb)  =  to try to get something indirectly and/or by some cunning way

3. a wet fish  =  a feeble, worn-out person

4. a cold fish  =  a person who deals with others in an impersonal (uninterested) way, without any feelings

5. a queer fish  =  a person who is very difficult to deal with; an eccentric person

6. (a)  big fish

(b)  a big fish in a little pond [said of an important and influential person in a small group, organisation, community, etc.]

7. fish face [an expression used as an abuse or insult, or sometimes used in a friendly way]

8. fishy [said of something that causes the feelings of doubt or suspicion]

9. fish-eyed [said of someone cold (= serious and thoughtful, not showing any friendliness) and calculating]

10. (a)  a fish out of water

(b)  (feel) like a fish out of water [said of a person who feels uncomfortable or at a loss in new or strange places, situations or people]

11. to drink like a fish  =  to drink alcoholic drinks too much or in large quantities

12. to swim like a fish  =  to swim very well

13. (a)  as dumb as a fish

(b)  as mute as a fish

14. (A)  a pretty/fine/different kettle of fish [said of a situation that is difficult or awkward, or different from what is expected; a great mix-up]

(B)  a different kettle of fish [said of a totally different person or thing, particularly from the one mentioned earlier]

15. to have bigger/other fish to fry [said of when a person has more important or interesting work than the usual one to do]

16. to fish (for something)  =  to try to obtain or get something, (phrasal verb) such as information, favour, etc. by indirect methods

17. to fish in troubled waters [said of when someone tries to gain some benefit, or profit out of other people’s troubles or from a disturbed situation, such as selling things on black market during wartime, demanding money to help the flood victims]

18. all fish are not caught with flies [said to mean that different people need different methods or incentives to do something]

19. in a fish bowl [said of a situation where a person has no privacy, some time or place where he/she can do something personal without others looking on or interfering with]

20. (a)  there are plenty of other fish in the sea

(b)  there are plenty of more good fish in the sea [said to mean that there are many other people or things that are as good as the one that someone has failed to get or own]