你可知道，在陆地上，鱼虽然钓不到，但是人们往往想钓别的东西，例如 to fish for compliments。Compliments就是“赞扬”或者“恭维”。To fish for compliments就是用一种巧妙的方法来让别人恭维你、赞扬你。下面就是一个例子：
Do you notice how Dora always fishes for compliments? She keeps asking the men in the office what they think of her new hairdo, or whether they think her new dress is the right color for her.
你有没有注意到多拉是怎么让别人恭维她的？她在办公室里老是问一些男同事喜不喜欢她的发式，或者她新衣服的颜色是不是合适。
下面是一个作家在和一个人说话，他很可能是想要那个人说几句赞扬他的话，尽管他不承认。先听听他是怎么说的，然后你来做判断吧：
I hope you don't think I'm fishing for a compliment, but have you had a chance to read my new book? The reviews are good, but I'd like to hear what you think about it.
我希望你不要以为我是要你恭维我。不过，你有没有看过我的新书？评论界的反映不错，但是我很想听听你的意见。