What is the meaning of the phrase ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’?
A single person has lots of options for future partners.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’?
The phrase ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’ is often shortened to ‘plenty more fish in the sea’ or ‘plenty more fish’ and ‘more fish in the sea’. These phrases can be used interchangeably and still mean the same thing.
The phrase ‘plenty more fish in the sea’ can be traced back to the early 16th century, since according to the Dictionary of Proverbs, there is a citing as early as 1573.
The phrase is likely to have been derived from fishing, and the idea that if one fish escapes, you are sure to find another.
Over time, the phrase came to be used as a metaphor and idiom to refer to moving on from one courtship to another.
How to use the phrase ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’?
You can use the phrase ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’ when you are speaking with someone who has experienced a relationship breakup.
Sometimes however, this phrase does not go down well. True there may be lots of potential future partners out there, but that doesn’t mean that any of them can replace the previous one. The phrase is also a cliche.
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘there are plenty more fish in the sea’?
Today, there is an online dating website called Plenty of Fish, and it is often abbreviated to POF.
