To retrieve something from inside a bag, pocket, body of water, or other container, often with some searching.
To reach in somewhere and pull something out, like a fish from water.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To take or pull something out of a container, pocket, or bag after searching for it.
"She fished out her keys from the bottom of her enormous handbag."
He fished out a crumpled piece of paper from his coat pocket.
— George Orwell, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' (paraphrased narrative style, widely attributed)
To pull something or someone out of water.
"The firefighters managed to fish out the child who had fallen into the river."
To deplete a body of water of its fish through excessive fishing.
"The lake has been completely fished out and there's nothing left to catch."
To pull a fish out of water — the act of reaching in and drawing something out.
To reach in somewhere and pull something out, like a fish from water.
Commonly used informally for retrieving small objects from bags, pockets, or water. Also used figuratively for 'extracting' information or a person from a situation. Widely used in both British and American English.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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