Fi rst Wo rld
1 N‑PROPER [N n] The most prosperous and industrialized parts of the world are sometimes referred to as the First World . Compare Third World . [BUSINESS ] □ Although South Africa has many of the attributes of the First World, it is still not part of that world. □ …wealthy First World countries.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone has First World problems , you mean that their problems are not really very important. □ 'I couldn't find any garlic olives anywhere.' --'First World problems.'
Fi rst World Wa r N‑PROPER The First World War or the First War is the war that was fought between 1914 and 1918 in Europe.
fi r tree (fir trees ) N‑COUNT A fir tree is the same as a fir .
fis|cal ◆◇◇ /f I sk ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Fiscal is used to describe something that relates to government money or public money, especially taxes. □ …last year, when the government tightened fiscal policy. ● fis|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV after v] □ The scheme would be fiscally dangerous. □ Many members are determined to prove that they are fiscally responsible.
2 → see also procurator fiscal SYNONYMS fiscal ADJ
financiaclass="underline" The company is in financial difficulties.
economic: …Poland's radical economic reforms.
monetary: Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.
budgetary: There are huge budgetary pressures on all governments in Europe.
fi s|cal cli ff (fiscal cliffs ) N‑COUNT A fiscal cliff is a situation in which sudden changes in government spending and tax have a big and sudden effect on a country's economy. □ The country is fast approaching the fiscal cliff.
fi s|cal yea r (fiscal years ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The fiscal year is the same as the financial year . [BUSINESS ] □ …the budget for the coming fiscal year.
fish ◆◆◇ /f I ʃ/ (fish or fishes , fishes , fishing , fished ) The form fish is usually used for the plural, but fishes can also be used. 1 N‑COUNT A fish is a creature that lives in water and has a tail and fins. There are many different kinds of fish. □ I was chatting to an islander who had just caught a fish. □ The fish were counted and an average weight recorded.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Fish is the flesh of a fish eaten as food. □ Does dry white wine go best with fish?
3 VERB If you fish , you try to catch fish, either for food or as a form of sport or recreation. □ [V ] Brian remembers learning to fish in the River Cam.
4 VERB If you fish a particular area of water, you try to catch fish in it. □ [V n] On Saturday we fished the River Arno.
5 VERB If you say that someone is fishing for information or praise, you disapprove of the fact that they are trying to get it from someone in an indirect way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + for ] He didn't want to create the impression that he was fishing for information. □ [V ] 'Lucinda, you don't have to talk to him!' Mike shouted. 'He's just fishing.'
6 → see also fishing
7 PHRASE If you tell someone that there are plenty more fish in the sea , you are comforting them by saying that although their relationship with someone has failed, there are many other people they can have relationships with. [INFORMAL ]
▸ fish out PHRASAL VERB If you fish something out from somewhere, you take or pull it out, often after searching for it for some time. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] She fished out a pair of David's socks for her cold feet. [Also V n P ]
fi sh and chi p shop (fish and chip shops ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a fish and chip shop is a shop which sells hot food such as fish and chips, fried chicken, sausages, and meat pies. The food is cooked in the shop and people take it away to eat at home or in the street.
fi sh cake (fish cakes ) also fishcake N‑COUNT A fish cake is a mixture of fish and potato that is made into a flat round shape, covered in breadcrumbs, and fried.
fisher|man /f I ʃə r mən/ (fishermen ) N‑COUNT A fisherman is a person who catches fish as a job or for sport.
fish|ery /f I ʃəri/ (fisheries )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Fisheries are areas of the sea where fish are caught in large quantities for commercial purposes. □ …the fisheries off Newfoundland.
2 N‑COUNT A fishery is a place where fish are bred and reared.
fi sh fi n|ger (fish fingers ) also fishfinger N‑COUNT [usu pl] Fish fingers are small long pieces of fish covered in breadcrumbs. They are usually sold in frozen form. [mainly BRIT ]
fish|ing ◆◇◇ /f I ʃ I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Fishing is the sport, hobby, or business of catching fish. □ Despite the poor weather the fishing has been pretty good. □ …a fishing boat.
fi sh|ing rod (fishing rods ) also fishing-rod N‑COUNT A fishing rod is a long thin pole which has a line and hook attached to it and which is used for catching fish.
fi sh|ing tack|le also fishing-tackle N‑UNCOUNT Fishing tackle consists of all the equipment that is used in the sport of fishing, such as fishing rods, lines, hooks, and bait.
fi sh knife (fish knives ) N‑COUNT A fish knife is a knife that you use when you eat fish. It has a wide flat blade and does not have a sharp edge.
fish|monger /f I ʃmʌŋgə r / (fishmongers )
1 N‑COUNT A fishmonger is a shopkeeper who sells fish. [mainly BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT The fishmonger or the fishmonger's is a shop where fish is sold. [mainly BRIT ] □ Purchase your oysters from a reputable fishmonger.