fish
fish — noun
1. a cold-blooded animal with fins and scales that spends its whole life in water;
a cold-blooded animal with fins and scales that spends its whole life in water; also, the meat from this animal eaten as food.
Ayesha watched a small orange fish swim past the coral.
countable: a fish refers to one animal
We had grilled fish with lemon and steamed vegetables for dinner.
uncountable: fish as food
The pond in the park has goldfish and a few larger fish.
Most fish need clean water with enough oxygen to survive.
文法句型
fish (countable, animal)
fish (uncountable, food)
常見錯誤
2. a person who behaves in an unusual or odd way that makes them seem different fro
a person who behaves in an unusual or odd way that makes them seem different from others.
The new neighbour is a strange fish who never talks to anyone.
pattern: a + adjective + fish
Talia felt like a cold fish at the party because she did not know anyone.
People at the office think Christopher is a bit of an odd fish.
The old fisherman was a queer fish who lived alone on the hill.
文法句型
a + adjective + fish
用法筆記
Almost always used with an adjective (odd fish, queer fish, strange fish, cold fish). The adjective specifies the type of oddness.
常見錯誤
fish — verb
1. to try catching fish using equipment such as a rod or net, for food or recreatio
to try catching fish using equipment such as a rod or net, for food or recreation in rivers, lakes, or the sea.
My grandfather taught me how to fish when I was seven.
intransitive: to fish (no object)
The local fishermen fish these coastal waters every morning.
transitive: fish [a body of water]
Élise went fishing with her cousins at the lake near their cabin.
Commercial fishers in Alaska fish for salmon in the rivers during the summer months.
- angle
formal or literary term for fishing with a rod and line
文法句型
fish (no object)
fish + noun phrase (a river / an area / a species)
常見錯誤
2. to look for something hidden inside a bag, pocket, or container by moving your f
to look for something hidden inside a bag, pocket, or container by moving your fingers or hand around inside it.
Élise fished in her handbag for the keys but could not find them.
pattern: fish in [container] for [object]
Christopher fished around in the dark drawer looking for a pair of scissors.
The plumber fished inside the pipe and pulled out a clump of hair.
Tamás fished a coin from his pocket and dropped it into the fare box.
文法句型
fish + in/around/through + noun phrase
fish + noun phrase + out of/from + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with particles or prepositions: fish for, fish around, fish in, fish through, fish out of. The object is often something small (coins, keys, a pen).
3. to attempt to obtain information, praise, or a reaction from someone in a rounda
to attempt to obtain information, praise, or a reaction from someone in a roundabout way, instead of asking them directly.
The journalist kept fishing for details about the company's secret project.
pattern: fish for [information/details]
Hana could tell her friend was fishing for compliments about her new dress.
common collocation: fish for compliments
Stop fishing for an invitation and just tell them you want to come.
The lawyer was politely fishing for any information about the accident witness.
文法句型
fish for + noun phrase (information, compliments, details, an invitation)
用法筆記
Almost always used with the preposition for followed by an abstract noun (compliments, information, details, an invitation, praise). The tone is usually critical — the person is being manipulative or fake.
常見錯誤
4. to catch so many fish from a particular river, lake, or ocean area that almost n
to catch so many fish from a particular river, lake, or ocean area that almost no fish are left there.
The lake was fished out years ago and no one catches anything there anymore.
passive: be fished out
This river will soon be fished out if boats keep catching all the salmon.
Many coastal regions in the North Sea have been completely fished out.
The government closed the fishing grounds after scientists confirmed they were fished out.
- overfish
emphasises the excessive catching rather than the depleted result
- restock
to put fish back into a river or lake
文法句型
be fished out (no object)
fish out + noun phrase (a river, a lake, an area)
用法筆記
Most common in the passive voice (be fished out). The active form fish out [a body of water] is also used but less frequent. Closely related to the noun overfishing.
5. in cricket and baseball, describing a batter who swings at a ball bowled or pitc
in cricket and baseball, describing a batter who swings at a ball bowled or pitched far from their normal hitting zone, often missing or making poor contact with it.
The batsman fished at a wide delivery and edged the ball to the wicketkeeper.
pattern: fish at [delivery]
Rania fished outside off stump and was almost caught at first slip.
A baseball batter who fishes at a bad pitch often ends up striking out.
The coach warned the junior players not to fish at balls outside the strike zone.
文法句型
fish at + noun phrase (a ball, a delivery)
用法筆記
Very specific to cricket and baseball commentary. In cricket, usually describes a batsman reaching for a ball outside off stump. Not used in everyday conversation.