Business Idioms connected to fish
Fish have been a vital source of food throughout human history and are a very important part of many cultures’ cuisine. This has led to numerous fish-based idioms. Here are 10 that you will definitely hear in the British English workplace!
1) bigger fish to fry
Meaning: a reference to having more important things to do than what one is doing or than what is proposed
Example: “Yes it’s disappointing that Bob has resigned but the truth is we’ve got bigger fish to fry!”
2) big fish
Meaning: an important or influential person in a company
Example: ” We need to be 100% alert and punctual tomorrow morning, a big fish from Head Office is making a surprise visit to the branch!”
3) big fish in a small pond
Meaning: an important or influential person on a small scale, such as in a small company/organisation
Example: “Well, I’m the Managing Director here but to be honest, I’m just a big fish in a small pond, we’re not a big company!”
4) cold fish
Meaning: a person who does not exude friendliness or show emotions
Example: “I’ve just met the new CFO. He’s such a cold fish! I’m not looking forward to working with him”
5) fish around
Meaning: investigate something discreetly and indirectly
Example: “Mary, can you fish around and try to get some more information about this potential Chinese investor?”
6) fishing for compliments
Meaning: encourage someone to say something favourable about you without asking directly
Example: “The problem with John is that he’s always fishing for compliments, particularly when the boss is around!”
7) as slippery as an eel
Meaning: someone who cannot be trusted, a trickster ( an eel is very slippery!)
Example: “You can never get a straight answer out of David, he’s as slippery as an eel!”
8) fish out of water
Meaning: a reference to a person who feels awkward or uncomfortable because he or she is in an unfamiliar environment
Example: “Since she arrived in London from the Paris office, Lucy’s like a fish out of water, very uncomfortable and unsettled”
9) like shooting fish in a barrel
Meaning: a reference to something that is extremely easy to do, based on the idea that fish swimming in a barrel rather than in open water make for an easy target
Example: “Its going to be easy to grow the European market with our reputation and resources, it will be like shooting fish in a barrel!”
10) Red herring
Meaning: something that misleads or distracts from the real problem or important question.
Example: “I think the focus on customer service is a red herring, the real problem is that we are 40% below budget!
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