Phrase guide

fish for compliments

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To self-deprecate in order to induce someone to make a compliment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • He’s so narcissistic! He whines that he’s ugly and unlikeable just to fish for compliments.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 沽名釣譽 — try to induce someone to make a compliment
  • Chinese Mandarin: 沽名钓誉 (gūmíngdiàoyù) — try to induce someone to make a compliment
  • Chinese Mandarin: 故意要別人說讚揚話 /故意要别人说赞扬话 — try to induce someone to make a compliment
  • Chinese Mandarin: 故意要别人说赞扬话 (gùyì yào biérén shuō zànyánghuà) — try to induce someone to make a compliment
  • Chinese Mandarin: 極力獲取別人稱讚 /极力获取别人称赞 (jílì huòqǔ biérén chēngzàn) — try to induce someone to make a compliment
  • Chinese Mandarin: 极力获取别人称赞 (jílì huòqǔ biérén chēngzàn) — try to induce someone to make a compliment
  • Danish: angle efter ros — try to induce someone to make a compliment
  • Finnish: kerjätä kohteliaisuuksia — try to induce someone to make a compliment
  • Russian: напра́шиваться на комплименты (naprášivatʹsja na komplimenty) — try to induce someone to make a compliment