fish out

To search inside something and pull out the thing you want.

• He fished out his keys.
• She fished an old photo out of the drawer.
• Can you fish out the receipt from your bag?

How to use it: fish something out of something (She fished a coin out of her pocket.)

Similar words: dig out, retrieve

Common phrases: fish out something, fish out keys

To pull someone or something out of water, often with some difficulty.

• We fished the ball out.
• A passerby fished him out of the river.
• Can you fish my hat out of the pond?

How to use it: fish someone/something out of something (They fished the dog out of the canal.)

Similar words: pull out, retrieve

Common phrases: fish out something, fish out someone

To catch so many fish in a place that few or none are left.

• They fished out the lake.
• Large boats have fished these waters out.
• Will the river be fished out before restrictions arrive?

How to use it: fish something out (They fished the pond out in a few years.)

Similar words: overfish

Common phrases: fish out something, fish out lakes