smell out
To find something by smelling it, or to sense that something is wrong or hidden.
Meanings
To find or locate something by following its smell.
"The police dog smelled out the hidden stash of drugs within minutes."
To detect or discover something hidden or suspicious through instinct or perception.
"She had a talent for smelling out dishonesty in people she had just met."
To fill a place with a bad or strong smell.
"The fish he was cooking smelled out the entire flat."
Used both literally (a dog smelling out a hidden substance) and figuratively (a journalist smelling out corruption). The figurative sense is common in British English. Also used to mean filling a space with a bad smell.
Commonly used with
Forms
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