fish for a compliment

fish for compliments

To attempt to elicit praise from someone, typically by saying negative things about oneself. We know you're a smart kind, Dan. You don't need to fish for compliments by talking about the one C you got. Tara's always fishing for compliments by talking about how she couldn't get her hair the way she wanted it. I think this self-deprecating routine is just how he fishes for compliments.

See also: compliment, fish, for

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

fish for a compliment

Fig. to try to get someone to pay oneself a compliment. When she showed me her new dress, I could tell that she was fishing for a compliment. Tom was certainly fishing for a compliment when he modeled his fancy haircut for his friends.

See also: compliment, fish, for

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

fish for compliments

encourage somebody indirectly to say nice things about you: Stop asking me if you look OK. You’re just fishing for compliments.

See also: compliment, fish, for

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017