:to ask for or try to get (something, such as praise or attention) in an indirect way转弯抹角地寻求（表扬或注意）
I think he offers apologies for his cooking as a way of fishing for compliments. [=as a way of getting people to say that they like the food he cooks]我认为，他为自己的厨艺道歉，其实是在旁敲侧击，想要别人赞扬他。