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fishing expedition

   Also found in: Legal, Idioms, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
fishing expedition
n.
An open-ended inquiry or investigation, often undertaken on the pretext of a minor or unrelated matter, whose real purpose is to uncover embarrassing or damaging information, as about a political opponent: "[enabled] prosecutors to expand what started out as an investigation of ... [a] land deal into a fishing expedition for intimate details of his dailyand nightlylife" Margaret Carlson.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.fishing expedition - an investigation undertaken in the hope (but not the stated purpose) of discovering information
investigation, probe - an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities; "there was a congressional probe into the scandal"
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There was a merry breakfast, a successful fishing expedition, and then the lobsters came out in full force, for even Aunt Jessie appeared in red flannel.
Eight Cousins by Alcott, Louisa May View in context
He is kind enough to say that he would have liked nothing better, but for this little fishing expedition of yours, Mr.
The Amateur Cracksman by Hornung, E. W. View in context
Hell was very far off, and the delights of a fishing expedition with the Cottons were very near.
Anne of The Island by Montgomery, Lucy Maud View in context
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