Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Is the expression "you were fishing for it!" common in English?
Thanks

[Suzanne]

"Fishing for it" is an idiom. It means to hint, hunt, or to ask indirectly.

Examples:
1. She was fishing for compliments when she asked "How do you like my new dress?"
2. He used Google to fish for information about his new girlfriend.
3. Fishing for some extra cash, Johnny asked the neighbors if he could do some yardwork for them.

Does that help?

[hela]

Could you also use "you were fishing for it" to mean "you asked for it" = you deserve what has happened to you?

Regards

[Suzanne]

No, not really. "Fishing for it" is more of an indirect action.

I wouldn't use it to mean that someone got what he or she deserved. I would use another idiom, such as "what goes around comes around" or "payback time."

It will be interesting to see what other phrases people would use!

[hela]

Would your idioms fit in this context:

"Too late, I knocked him out and dragged him / his body (?) to the landing. What goes around comes around / Payback time." (= he asked for it ?)

Thank you for your help