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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Compare expressions for believing a story, noticing something suspicious, and asking for information.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe episode uses fishing language to describe belief and information-seeking. To believe something “hook, line and sinker” is to accept it completely; “fishy” means suspicious; and a “fish story” is an exaggerated tale. A “fishing expedition” is a broad search for information, while “fish around” means search in a general way and “fish for compliments” means indirectly seeking praise.
Cultural note: “Fishing expedition” can sound accusatory when used about an investigation. “Fishy” is a suspicion, not proof of dishonesty; check evidence before making a claim. “Fishing for compliments” can be teasing, but it may also unfairly belittle someone who is asking for genuine feedback.
Keep exploringFishing gives English expressions for gullibility, suspicion, exaggeration, and searching for a particular response.
Phrase guide · 6 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Describe accepting a story or finding it suspicious.
Meaning
Completely or entirely, especially when someone believes a story.
Tone & use
Usually follows “believe,” “buy,” or “fall for.” It often implies the person was easily fooled.
Example
“He believed the fake contest email hook, line, and sinker and almost sent his bank details.”
Meaning
Suspicious or seeming unlikely to be true.
Tone & use
Informal and based on an impression; it is not evidence by itself.
Example
“The message seemed fishy because it asked for a password, so I checked with the company directly.”
Recognize broad or indirect attempts to learn something.
Meaning
A broad search for information without a clearly limited target.
Tone & use
Often critical, especially when someone thinks questions are being asked without a good reason.
Example
“The interviewer asked about the project’s budget and timeline, not a fishing expedition into employees’ private lives.”
Meaning
Try indirectly to get someone to praise you.
Tone & use
Often teasing or critical. Asking for useful feedback is not necessarily fishing for compliments.
Example
“Instead of fishing for compliments, she asked her editor which part of the draft was clearest.”
Meaning
Search generally or indirectly for information or an idea.
Tone & use
Informal; asking broad questions can feel intrusive when the topic is private.
Example
“She fished around for a new project idea by asking colleagues what problems their customers faced.”
Talk about overstatement and what matters most.
Meaning
An exaggerated story that seems unlikely to be true.
Tone & use
Informal and often playful, though it can accuse someone of exaggerating.
Example
“By the fifth retelling, his short hike had become a fish story about climbing a mountain in a storm.”
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