fishing expedition

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To appreciate fully the outrageousness of this fishing expedition, remember the original setting for the Smith probe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

That is the short story of how plane ticketing became a fishing expedition and basic economy the bait.

From Slate • Oct. 9, 2025

But the subpoena was dropped after Swift's legal team objected that the legal order amounted to an "unwarranted fishing expedition", Variety said.

From BBC • May 23, 2025

“I think they sent him off on this fishing expedition to get something on me after the primary election in 2018,” Spitzer said in a deposition.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2025

He had not seen Ramon since the day recently when he had suggested a fishing expedition and been told that Ramon was not well.

From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry