fishing expedition
US /ˈfɪʃɪŋ ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃən/
UK /ˈfɪʃɪŋ ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃən/
1.
an investigation or search for information that is not clearly defined or has no specific goal, often with the hope of finding something incriminating or useful
:
•
The defense attorney accused the prosecution of going on a fishing expedition, hoping to uncover new evidence without a clear lead.
•
The journalist's questions felt like a fishing expedition, trying to get me to reveal something I didn't want to.