Fishy

The adjective 'fishy' describes something that arouses suspicion or doubt, implying that something is wrong, dishonest, or not as it seems. It suggests that something is questionable, deceitful, or potentially fraudulent. This can be applied to a variety of situations, from observing behavior to evaluating an explanation. The term often points towards hidden motives, lack of transparency, or a generally unpleasant feeling. 'Fishy' suggests an underlying issue that needs further investigation or scrutiny. The feeling is similar to smelling something stale or rotten, indicating that caution is required.

Fishy meaning with examples

• The sudden change in his story was definitely fishy. I found it hard to trust his account after he kept contradicting himself, which raised red flags about what he was trying to hide. The way he kept avoiding direct questions was also fishy, like he knew something and wasn't wanting to reveal it.
• The investment scheme seemed too good to be true, which gave me a fishy feeling. The promises of unbelievably high returns in such a short time were suspicious. I decided to do some digging, and quickly discovered the operation had been a fishy, likely fraudulent way to take money.
• There was a fishy smell coming from the basement. I decided to investigate, thinking something may have spoiled or leaked. After discovering a pool of unknown liquid I immediately notified maintenance that something was not right. The source turned out to be far more problematic than expected.
• The company's explanation for the price increase felt fishy, like they were trying to obscure some underlying problem. The vague statements and lack of supporting evidence made the reason for the increase feel fishy. Many customers, including myself, were left feeling distrustful of the company.