The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (195 page)

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All is FISH that comes to the net

Everything can be used to advantage.
The
is frequently replaced by a possessive pronoun or phrase. Similar in form and sense to
all is GRIST that comes to the mill
.

c
1520
in
Ballads from MSS
(1868–72) I. 95
Alle ys ffysshe that commyth to the nett.
1564
Dialogue against Fever
70
Takyng vp commoditie [opportunity], refusyng nothyng: all is fishe that commeth to the nette.
1680
Mr. Badman
19
What was his fathers could not escape his fingers, all was fish that came to his net.
1803
Professional Life
II. 137
I be a jolly fisherman, I takes what I can get, Still going on ‘my betters’ plan, all's fish that comes to net.
1848
Dombey & Son
ix.
‘All's fish that comes to your net, I suppose?’ ‘Certainly,’ said Mr. Brogley. ‘But sprats an't whales, you know.’
1936
Murder in Mesopotamia
xix.
I don't know that she cares for one more than the other …All's fish that comes to her net at present.