The idiom "fishing expedition" is derived from the literal act of fishing, where individuals cast their lines into the water with the hope of catching fish. In this context, a "fishing expedition" refers to an exploratory or speculative venture in which someone is searching for something without a clear plan or specific target. The term has been used figuratively since at least the mid-20th century. This expression is often used to describe an investigation, inquiry, or search that lacks a clear purpose or reasonable cause. It implies that the effort is akin to casting a wide net or conducting a search without knowing precisely what one is looking for, and it may be seen as speculative or exploratory. In legal contexts, it can refer to a request for information or documents that appears overly broad or made with the intent to harass rather than to obtain specific relevant information.
- The prosecutor accused the defense attorney of going on a fishing expedition by requesting extensive records unrelated to the case.
- The auditor's request for all financial records from the past decade seemed like a fishing expedition rather than a focused review.
- It's important to have a legitimate reason for conducting an investigation and not simply embark on a fishing expedition.
- The journalist's article felt like a fishing expedition, as it made vague allegations without concrete evidence.
- The company's internal review was more of a fishing expedition than a targeted analysis of the problem.