Fish out of

Pro Tip 1/3

Physical Action

Often used when describing the physical retrieval of an item from a confined or hard-to-reach space.

She fished her phone out of the narrow seat gap.

Pro Tip 2/3

Literal Use

Uses a metaphor from fishing, imagining objects as fish being removed from a space, like water.

After the hike, he fished a small pebble out of his shoe.

Pro Tip 3/3

Effort Implied

Suggests effort or difficulty in getting the item, as if searching through other items.

Jenny fished a candy out of her cluttered purse.