The idiom "fish for compliments" means to seek or try to get someone to give you praise or admiration. It's like when you throw a fishing line into the water and try to catch a fish. In this case, you are trying to catch compliments from someone.
People usually use this idiom when they want to describe someone who is trying too hard to get compliments. For example, if someone is always talking about how great they look or how well they did something, even if it's not true, you can say they are fishing for compliments.
It's important to note that fishing for compliments can come across as insincere or needy. It's better to let others compliment you naturally rather than trying to force it out of them.
• Despite his accomplishments, the author continued to fish for compliments from his critics, never satisfied with his own work.
• My sister always fishes for compliments about her cooking, but I don't want to hurt her feelings.
• The singer kept fishing for compliments from the audience, even though they were clearly not impressed.
• Whenever my boss wears a new outfit, she always fishes for compliments from her employees.
• The politician was clearly fishing for compliments during her speech, hoping to gain more support from the crowd.
• I don't like it when people fish for compliments instead of accepting constructive criticism to improve their work.