Fishing Expedition (Noun)
Meaning
An investigation undertaken in the hope (but not the stated purpose) of discovering information.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The government's inquiry into the company's business practices was widely seen as a fishing expedition, aimed at uncovering evidence of wrongdoing that would lead to charges.
- Her opponents launched a fishing expedition by subpoenaing years of her emails and records in a failed attempt to find evidence of corruption.
- The journalist's interview with the celebrity was just a fishing expedition, designed to see if they would reveal anything scandalous or embarrassing.
- A fishing expedition by prosecutors turned up evidence of the politician's involvement in the bribery scheme, leading to their resignation.
- Critics accused the politicians of going on a fishing expedition by asking for broad and intrusive details about citizens' personal lives as part of a survey.