Phrase guide
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
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
noun
A search for information, especially incriminating information, that is conducted without specific direction or goal, in the hope that something may turn up.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: derogatory, idiomatic, informal
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see fishing, expedition. (an outing for catching fish)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
an investigation undertaken in the hope (but not the stated purpose) of discovering information
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: probe, investigation
History
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
7 source translations are retained for this English entry.
