Is 'fishing trip' one word or two?

It is a two-word open compound noun, like 'bus stop'. It is not hyphenated in standard modern English.

Can 'fishing trip' be used for freshwater and sea fishing?

Yes, it is a general term. For specificity, use modifiers: 'deep-sea fishing trip', 'lake fishing trip', 'ice-fishing trip'.

What is the difference between 'trip' and 'journey' in this context?

'Trip' implies a return to the origin, is often shorter, and focuses on the purpose. 'Journey' is more about the process of travelling. A 'fishing journey' would sound unusual.

How is the figurative 'fishing expedition' different?

'Fishing expedition' is a fixed legal/figurative idiom meaning a non-specific search for evidence. 'Fishing trip' is usually literal, though it can be loosely used in similar figurative ways.

How do you pronounce “fishing trip”?

Fishing trip: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ ˌtrɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ ˌtrɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

fishing trip: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ ˌtrɪp/US/ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ ˌtrɪp/

Neutral to informal; common in everyday, narrative, and recreational contexts.

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “fishing trip” mean?

A journey or outing taken for the primary purpose of catching fish.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A journey or outing taken for the primary purpose of catching fish.

Any excursion, venture, or project undertaken for a specific, often exploratory purpose, sometimes with a hidden or ulterior motive.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No major lexical differences. 'Fishing' itself is universal. 'Angling trip' is a more specific, formal UK alternative. Americans might use 'fishing excursion' interchangeably.

Connotations

Largely identical. In both cultures, it connotes leisure, sport, bonding, or a break from routine. Extended 'fact-finding' or 'exploratory' meaning is understood in both.

Frequency

Equally frequent. A core, stable compound in both varieties.

Grammar

How to Use “fishing trip” in a Sentence

go on/for a fishing trip (to + location)take someone on a fishing tripa fishing trip for (purpose)return from a fishing trip

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

go on aplan aannualweekenddeep-seafather-sonsuccessfulfailed

medium

organise/organize areturn from amemorablecharter a boat for afly-fishingice-fishing

weak

impromptuleisurelycorporatecelebratorycoastal

Examples

Examples of “fishing trip” in a Sentence

verb

British English

We're planning to go fishing-trip-ing in Scotland next month. (informal, non-standard)
He often fishes-trip-s to the lake. (non-standard)

American English

They decided to fishing-trip up north. (informal, non-standard)
He's always fishing-tripping with his buddies. (non-standard)

adverb

British English

They travelled fishing-triply along the coast. (non-standard, humorous)
He behaved very fishing-trip. (non-standard)

American English

They drove fishing-trip-style in an old truck. (non-standard)
He talked fishing-trip. (non-standard)

adjective

British English

He packed his fishing-trip gear.
They had a real fishing-trip atmosphere on the boat.

American English

He wore his fishing-trip hat.
It was a classic fishing-trip story.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Figuratively: 'The consultant's questions felt like a fishing trip for confidential data.'

Academic

Rare, except in anthropological/sociological studies of leisure activities.

Everyday

Dominant context: discussing leisure plans, holidays, hobbies, family activities.

Technical

In marine biology or fisheries management, refers to planned data-gathering voyages.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “fishing trip”

Strong

fishing outing

Neutral

fishing excursionfishing expeditionangling trip

Weak

fishing jauntfishing holiday

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “fishing trip”

business tripworking holiday

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “fishing trip”

Using 'travel' instead of 'trip' (uncountable vs. countable). Incorrect: *'We went for a fishing travel.'
Incorrect pluralisation: *'fishing trips' is correct, but *'fishings trip' is wrong.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is a two-word open compound noun, like 'bus stop'. It is not hyphenated in standard modern English.
: Yes, it is a general term. For specificity, use modifiers: 'deep-sea fishing trip', 'lake fishing trip', 'ice-fishing trip'.
: 'Trip' implies a return to the origin, is often shorter, and focuses on the purpose. 'Journey' is more about the process of travelling. A 'fishing journey' would sound unusual.
: 'Fishing expedition' is a fixed legal/figurative idiom meaning a non-specific search for evidence. 'Fishing trip' is usually literal, though it can be loosely used in similar figurative ways.
: A journey or outing taken for the primary purpose of catching fish.
: Fishing trip is usually neutral to informal; common in everyday, narrative, and recreational contexts. in register.
: Fishing trip: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ ˌtrɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ ˌtrɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“a fishing expedition (figurative: a random search for information)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of TRIP as a short journey. FISHING is the purpose. Just like a 'shopping trip' is for shopping, a 'fishing trip' is for fishing.

Conceptual Metaphor

LIFE IS A JOURNEY; A PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY IS A DESTINATION (e.g., 'a guilt trip', 'a power trip').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After a stressful quarter, the team leader organised a weekend to boost morale.

Multiple Choice

In a business context, what can 'a fishing trip' figuratively mean?