fish意思是钓鱼，bat是系在钓鱼线上的鱼饵。所以这个习惯用语如果直译就是要么钓鱼，要么干脆切断鱼饵。Fish or cut bait最初出现在十九世纪。一名议员在国会就一项议案进行表决前对与会者说了这句话，敦促大家当机立断，作出是或否的明确表态。

【例句】
Son, either go on to college or go out and find yourself a job. It's time to fish or cut bait!
儿子，你要么呆在学校继续上学，要么就给自己找个工作。该到你当机立断的时候了。

Charlie, you've had two weeks to decide whether you want in on this deal. Now it's time to fish or cut bait. I need your answer by six o'clock tonight -- otherwise we'll leave you out of it!
Charlie，对于要不要参与这笔生意你斟酌了有两星期了。现在你务必当机立断。我必须在今晚六点前得到你的答复，否则我们就把你排除在外。