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• Fish or cut bait
  Fish or cut bait

  Make a decision now; stop hesitating. To cut bait is to stop fishing.
• fish or cut bait
  fish or cut bait

  Either proceed with an activity or abandon it completely. For example, You've been putting off calling him for hours; either fish or cut bait. This expression, often uttered as an imperative, alludes to a fisherman who should either be actively trying to catch fish or cutting up bait for others to use. It was first recorded in the Congressional Record (1876), when Congressman Joseph P. Cannon called for a vote on a bill legalizing the silver dollar: “I want you gentlemen on the other side of the House to ‘fish or cut bait.’” A vulgar synonym from the 1940s is shit or get off the pot.

Fish or cut bait

Cultural  

1. Make a decision now; stop hesitating. To cut bait is to stop fishing.

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fish or cut bait Idioms  

1. Either proceed with an activity or abandon it completely. For example, You've been putting off calling him for hours; either fish or cut bait. This expression, often uttered as an imperative, alludes to a fisherman who should either be actively trying to catch fish or cutting up bait for others to use. It was first recorded in the Congressional Record (1876), when Congressman Joseph P. Cannon called for a vote on a bill legalizing the silver dollar: “I want you gentlemen on the other side of the House to ‘fish or cut bait.’” A vulgar synonym from the 1940s is shit or get off the pot.

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Example Sentences

"You're going to have to tell me — this week," Kaplan shot back, urging Trump's attorney to "fish or cut bait."

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2023

“At some point, you have to fish or cut bait to get this done,” Aresco said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 20, 2022

"It's fish or cut bait," Mr Cornyn told reporters on Thursday.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2022

“The moment to fish or cut bait is quickly going to be upon the administration whether the advocates put increased pressure on it or not,” Ms. Krinsky said.

From Washington Times • Jun. 2, 2021

After all," he confided to the cuspidor, "it is up to the girl whether we fish or cut bait.

From Kindred of the Dust by Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)