He angles for the FISH already caught

Meaning & Analysis

He tries to catch a fish that has already been caught; he pursues what is already secured or claimed.

Insights

Futility and Pointlessness

The proverb describes engaging in a pointless or redundant effort, pursuing something that is already accomplished, acquired, or claimed by someone else.

Misplaced Effort

Highlights the misdirection of energy and resources toward a goal that no longer needs pursuing, perhaps through ignorance or lack of awareness.

Late Arrival

It can gently mock those who act too late, joining a contest or chase after the outcome is already decided.

Social Satire

The proverb has often served as a wry commentary on human folly, poking fun at those who waste effort on what is already settled or impossible to attain.

Psychological Dimension

It can reveal psychological tendencies—such as denial, wishful thinking, or inability to recognize change—that lead people to chase after unattainable or irrelevant goals.

Practical Wisdom

By pointing out the absurdity of redundant effort, the saying encourages awareness and adaptability, urging us to choose our pursuits wisely and know when a cause is already lost.

Rhetorical Devices

Metaphor

Fishing imagery stands in for broader endeavors, making the lesson both concrete and broadly applicable.

Irony

The ironic situation—fishing for what is already caught—underscores the foolishness and gently mocks the subject.

Ellipsis

Omission of detail about who caught the fish or why it matters creates universality, allowing listeners to fill in their own scenarios.

futilityredundancywisdomironyadaptabilitymetaphor

Analyzed with gpt-4.1 on July 12, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

Anglinge for the fishe that is alreadye caught.

— 1578, LYLY, Euph. Anat. Wit, p. 239

— 1616, DR., Ill successe, no. 2071

Related Proverbs

F330 When the FISH is caught the net is laid aside 91.3%F316 It is a silly FISH that is caught twice with the same bait (The fish once caught bewares the hook) 91.3%F453 A FOOL asks much but he is a greater fool that gives it 90.3%F70 There came never a large FART out of a wren's ass 90.3%A194 He would ALL have and nought forgo 90.1%F337 Go early to the FISH MARKET and late to the butchery 90.1%F201 Put that in the next FEW 90.1%F356 It is better to give the FLEECE than the sheep 90.1%A346 He will not lose it (Nothing is lost) for ASKING (for want of asking) 90.0%F644 He that has a FOX for his mate had need have a net at his girdle 90.0%L79 He stays not long that comes at LAST 89.9%F497 Let not one FOOL mock another 89.9%V2 In VAIN he craves advice that will not follow it 89.9%F295 I am not the FIRST and shall not be the last 89.9%P6 It is a silly PACK that may not pay the custom 89.8%A180 He has not lost ALL who has one throw to cast 89.8%D34 He that will sail without DANGER must never come upon the main sea 89.8%O20 He has a good OFFICE, he must needs thrive 89.8%F654 We never find that a FOX dies in the dirt of his own ditch 89.8%P440 Every PLUMMET is not for every sound 89.7%

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