Smells are all around us. Some smells make us smile, like fresh cookies or a clean shirt. Other smells, like garbage or stinky socks, can make us wrinkle our noses. People use fun and interesting sayings, called idioms, to talk about smells. These idioms help explain how something smells or what the smell reminds us of.
Idioms about smell can tell us more than just how something smells. They can also describe feelings, thoughts, or even situations. When someone says “that smells fishy,” they don’t really mean it smells like fish. They mean something doesn’t seem right. In this article, you will learn many idioms about smell, what they mean, and how to use them in real life. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.
Idioms About Smell
1. Smells fishy
Meaning: Something seems suspicious or not quite right
Example Sentence:
- That story about winning the lottery smells fishy.
- It smells fishy when he shows up only when we have snacks.
Other ways to say: Seems off, doesn’t add up
Fun Fact/Origin: Fish that’s gone bad smells strong, so people use it to describe things that seem wrong.
Usage: Used when something doesn’t feel honest or true.
2. Stink to high heaven
Meaning: Smells very bad
Example Sentence:
- The trash stinks to high heaven!
- His sneakers stink to high heaven after gym class.
Other ways to say: Smells awful, really bad odor
Fun Fact/Origin: “High heaven” means way up in the sky, so the smell is super strong.
Usage: Used when something smells terrible.
3. Raise a stink
Meaning: Complain loudly about something
Example Sentence:
- Mom raised a stink when the order was wrong.
- He raised a stink after being skipped in line.
Other ways to say: Make a fuss, protest loudly
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of bad smells causing people to react strongly.
Usage: Used when someone gets upset and makes their feelings known.
4. Something smells off
Meaning: Something feels strange or not right
Example Sentence:
- I didn’t eat the meat because it smelled off.
- The whole deal smells off to me.
Other ways to say: Feels wrong, doesn’t seem right
Fun Fact/Origin: “Off” is often used to describe food that’s gone bad.
Usage: Used when something doesn’t feel okay.
5. Smell a rat
Meaning: Think something dishonest is happening
Example Sentence:
- She smelled a rat when the answers were all the same.
- I smell a rat—he never acts like that.
Other ways to say: Something’s fishy, looks suspicious
Fun Fact/Origin: Rats were linked to dirty or sneaky things, so this idiom grew from that.
Usage: Used when suspecting cheating or lying.
6. Come up smelling like roses
Meaning: Look good even after trouble
Example Sentence:
- Even after the fight, she came up smelling like roses.
- He forgot the homework but still came up smelling like roses.
Other ways to say: Got away clean, still looks good
Fun Fact/Origin: Roses are known for smelling sweet and good, even in rough spots.
Usage: Used when someone avoids blame or ends up looking good.
7. Smell blood
Meaning: Notice weakness and try to win
Example Sentence:
- The other team smelled blood and played harder.
- She smelled blood when he hesitated and asked harder questions.
Other ways to say: Go for the win, press the advantage
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how animals act when they smell blood—ready to attack.
Usage: Used when someone sees a chance to beat or challenge others.
8. Smell success
Meaning: Expect to win or do well
Example Sentence:
- The coach smelled success after the strong first half.
- She studied hard and could smell success before the test.
Other ways to say: Feel victory, know they’ll win
Fun Fact/Origin: It means you can almost feel success as if you can smell it.
Usage: Used when someone feels they are close to doing well.
9. On the scent
Meaning: Following a clue
Example Sentence:
- The dog was on the scent of something hidden.
- I think I’m on the scent of the missing toy.
Other ways to say: Following a trail, chasing clues
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from hunting, where animals follow smells.
Usage: Used when someone is close to solving a mystery or finding something.
10. Sniff out
Meaning: Discover something
Example Sentence:
- She sniffed out the truth about the prank.
- The dog sniffed out the cookies in the backpack.
Other ways to say: Figure out, find
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs sniff to find hidden things, so people use this to mean discovering something.
Usage: Used when someone finds out something hidden or secret.
11. Sniff around
Meaning: Try to find out information secretly
Example Sentence:
- He’s been sniffing around the classroom looking for clues.
- The cat sniffed around the box before jumping in.
Other ways to say: Look for info, sneak around
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how animals sniff to learn about their surroundings.
Usage: Used when someone is trying to find out something quietly.
12. Scent of trouble
Meaning: A feeling that something bad is coming
Example Sentence:
- She had a scent of trouble when the teacher looked upset.
- I got the scent of trouble as soon as I entered the room.
Other ways to say: Bad feeling, something’s wrong
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is like animals smelling danger before it happens.
Usage: Used when someone has a feeling something bad will happen.
13. Smells like teen spirit
Meaning: Youth energy and attitude
Example Sentence:
- The party was wild—it smelled like teen spirit.
- That music smells like teen spirit—loud and fun.
Other ways to say: Teen energy, young vibe
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom became popular from a Nirvana song.
Usage: Used to describe teen behavior or atmosphere.
14. Sniff at
Meaning: Not think something is important
Example Sentence:
- Don’t sniff at extra credit—it could help your grade.
- He sniffed at the small prize like it wasn’t good enough.
Other ways to say: Look down on, not appreciate
Fun Fact/Origin: The act of sniffing can show dislike or judgment.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t see value in something.
15. Reek of
Meaning: Clearly shows a certain quality
Example Sentence:
- His excuse reeked of lies.
- The room reeked of fun after the party.
Other ways to say: Full of, strongly show
Fun Fact/Origin: “Reek” means to have a strong smell—can be about odor or behavior.
Usage: Used when something clearly seems a certain way.
16. Follow one’s nose
Meaning: Trust your instincts
Example Sentence:
- I didn’t know where the cookies were, so I followed my nose.
- He followed his nose and found the lost dog.
Other ways to say: Trust your gut, go with your feeling
Fun Fact/Origin: Like how animals use their nose to guide them.
Usage: Used when someone trusts their own sense or guess.
17. Catch a whiff
Meaning: Smell something briefly
Example Sentence:
- I caught a whiff of popcorn down the hall.
- She caught a whiff of perfume in the air.
Other ways to say: Smell a little, short scent
Fun Fact/Origin: A “whiff” is a small, quick smell.
Usage: Used for a short or sudden smell.
18. Give off a scent
Meaning: Produce a smell
Example Sentence:
- The flowers gave off a sweet scent.
- The food gave off a delicious scent from the kitchen.
Other ways to say: Smell like, send out a smell
Fun Fact/Origin: Everything gives off a smell, good or bad.
Usage: Used to describe the smell something produces.
19. Stick your nose into
Meaning: Get involved in something that’s not your business
Example Sentence:
- Don’t stick your nose into our conversation.
- She stuck her nose into someone else’s problem again.
Other ways to say: Be nosy, interfere
Fun Fact/Origin: Sniffing where you shouldn’t is seen as rude—same idea here.
Usage: Used when someone meddles or interrupts.
20. Smell something burning
Meaning: Think something is wrong or not right
Example Sentence:
- I smell something burning—check the oven!
- She smelled something burning when the teacher acted strange.
Other ways to say: Sense danger, something feels wrong
Fun Fact/Origin: Burning smells often mean trouble.
Usage: Used both literally and when someone senses a problem.
21. Smell sweet
Meaning: Things are going well
Example Sentence:
- Everything smells sweet now that the test is over.
- Their plan smells sweet so far.
Other ways to say: Looks good, going great
Fun Fact/Origin: Sweet smells are linked with good things.
Usage: Used when something is working out nicely.
22. Something stinks
Meaning: Something seems dishonest or unfair
Example Sentence:
- This game isn’t fair—something stinks.
- The way he won stinks to me.
Other ways to say: Not fair, seems wrong
Fun Fact/Origin: Bad smells are linked to bad behavior.
Usage: Used when something seems fishy or unfair.
23. Get wind of
Meaning: Hear a secret or news
Example Sentence:
- I got wind of the surprise party.
- She got wind of the new rule before everyone else.
Other ways to say: Hear about, find out
Fun Fact/Origin: Wind carries smells or news, so this idiom means getting hints.
Usage: Used when someone learns about something quietly.
24. Smells like trouble
Meaning: Feels like something bad is going to happen
Example Sentence:
- That group sneaking around smells like trouble.
- The way they whispered smelled like trouble.
Other ways to say: Danger ahead, looks risky
Fun Fact/Origin: Bad things can come with bad signs—like a smell.
Usage: Used when something seems like it will go wrong.
25. Sniff something out
Meaning: Discover something hidden
Example Sentence:
- She sniffed out the secret recipe.
- He sniffed out the truth about the lost game.
Other ways to say: Uncover, find out
Fun Fact/Origin: Like dogs, people can “sniff out” answers with effort.
Usage: Used when someone finds a hidden answer or fact.
26. Reek of desperation
Meaning: Clearly shows someone is trying too hard
Example Sentence:
- He reeked of desperation asking everyone for help.
- Her begging reeked of desperation.
Other ways to say: Look too needy, try too hard
Fun Fact/Origin: It means someone is showing their feelings too strongly.
Usage: Used when someone acts too eager or needy.
27. A nose for news
Meaning: Good at finding information
Example Sentence:
- She has a nose for news—always first to know!
- Reporters need a nose for news.
Other ways to say: Good at finding out things
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to people who can “smell out” a good story.
Usage: Used when someone is good at discovering facts.
28. Have a nose for trouble
Meaning: Often get into or find problems
Example Sentence:
- He has a nose for trouble—always getting caught.
- Kids with a nose for trouble keep teachers busy.
Other ways to say: Attracts problems, finds trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from animals sniffing out things, sometimes bad ones.
Usage: Used when someone keeps finding trouble.
29. Follow the scent
Meaning: Keep looking for clues
Example Sentence:
- The detective followed the scent to solve the case.
- I followed the scent of pizza to the kitchen.
Other ways to say: Stay on the trail, keep searching
Fun Fact/Origin: Used often with detective stories or animal tracking.
Usage: Used when someone keeps chasing clues or answers.
30. Smell of smoke
Meaning: Something seems wrong or dangerous
Example Sentence:
- The deal smelled of smoke—too risky.
- I stayed away because it smelled of smoke.
Other ways to say: Something’s not right, risky
Fun Fact/Origin: If you smell smoke, you think of fire—same idea here.
Usage: Used when something might be harmful or dangerous.
31. In the air
Meaning: A feeling or idea that people notice
Example Sentence:
- Love was in the air at the wedding.
- Trouble is in the air with all this shouting.
Other ways to say: Felt around, seems present
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how smells float in the air—ideas can too.
Usage: Used when a mood or feeling is noticeable.
32. Stink up the place
Meaning: Make a place smell bad
Example Sentence:
- His old socks stink up the place.
- The burnt popcorn stunk up the house.
Other ways to say: Smell terrible, stink badly
Fun Fact/Origin: Simple and clear—bad smells affect the space.
Usage: Used when someone or something makes a place smell awful.
33. Nose out
Meaning: Push someone out or win slightly
Example Sentence:
- He nosed out his friend in the race.
- They nosed out the other team by one point.
Other ways to say: Win barely, edge out
Fun Fact/Origin: Like a horse race where one nose wins it.
Usage: Used when someone wins by just a little.
34. Nose around
Meaning: Look for something in a nosy way
Example Sentence:
- He nosed around my desk looking for candy.
- She nosed around the bags out of curiosity.
Other ways to say: Poke around, be nosy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the way people use their nose to snoop.
Usage: Used when someone looks into things that aren’t their business.
35. Scented with doubt
Meaning: Something doesn’t seem fully true
Example Sentence:
- His answer was scented with doubt.
- Her story was scented with doubt from the start.
Other ways to say: Not convincing, unsure
Fun Fact/Origin: Uses smell to describe unclear truth.
Usage: Used when something seems unsure or untrustworthy.
36. Smell of fear
Meaning: Someone seems scared
Example Sentence:
- The dog could smell his fear.
- They smelled fear and acted tougher.
Other ways to say: Sense fear, notice nervousness
Fun Fact/Origin: Fear can sometimes be sensed like a smell.
Usage: Used when someone appears scared or nervous.
37. Sniff test
Meaning: A quick check to see if something seems okay
Example Sentence:
- This milk didn’t pass the sniff test.
- Her story didn’t pass the sniff test.
Other ways to say: Quick check, basic test
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from checking food by smell to see if it’s still good.
Usage: Used when testing if something seems right.
38. Smell of success
Meaning: A feeling that something is going well
Example Sentence:
- He walked into the room with the smell of success.
- Their science project had the smell of success.
Other ways to say: Winning feeling, doing well
Fun Fact/Origin: Success can feel so strong it’s like you can smell it.
Usage: Used when something seems headed for a win.
Quiz: Idioms About Smell
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the idioms to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “smells fishy” mean?
A) It smells like fish
B) Something seems suspicious
C) It tastes bad
2. What does it mean if something “stinks to high heaven”?
A) It is very expensive
B) It smells really bad
C) It looks strange
3. If someone “raises a stink,” what are they doing?
A) Cleaning up
B) Saying something smells good
C) Complaining loudly
4. What does it mean if you “smell a rat”?
A) You hear a noise
B) You think someone is lying
C) You see a real rat
5. If someone “comes up smelling like roses,” what does it mean?
A) They smell nice
B) They look like a flower
C) They look good even after trouble
6. What does “catch a whiff” mean?
A) To see something
B) To smell something quickly
C) To eat something
7. If someone has a “nose for trouble,” what does it mean?
A) They are good at math
B) They often find themselves in bad situations
C) They have a cold
8. What does it mean to “stick your nose into” something?
A) Smell it closely
B) Get involved in someone else’s business
C) Blow your nose
9. What does “reek of desperation” mean?
A) Smell like perfume
B) Try too hard or seem needy
C) Have no smell at all
10. If something “smells like trouble,” what is it suggesting?
A) It smells delicious
B) It is dangerous or risky
C) It is a surprise party
11. What does “follow your nose” mean?
A) Go where your nose points
B) Trust your instincts
C) Wear perfume
12. What does it mean to “sniff out” something?
A) Smell flowers
B) Find something hidden
C) Clean up a mess
13. What is a “sniff test”?
A) A big test in school
B) A quick way to check if something seems okay
C) A smell competition
Answer Key
- B) Something seems suspicious
- B) It smells really bad
- C) Complaining loudly
- B) You think someone is lying
- C) They look good even after trouble
- B) To smell something quickly
- B) They often find themselves in bad situations
- B) Get involved in someone else’s business
- B) Try too hard or seem needy
- B) It is dangerous or risky
- B) Trust your instincts
- B) Find something hidden
- B) A quick way to check if something seems okay
Wrapping Up
Idioms about smell help us talk about more than just odors. They let us describe feelings, situations, and even warning signs. Saying someone “smells success” or “smells fishy” adds color to how we speak. These phrases come from everyday life and are easy to remember. You don’t have to use big words to sound smart. Just a simple idiom can do the job.
Next time you hear something strange or exciting, think about how it might “smell” in words. Using these idioms will help you understand and talk more like a natural English speaker.
