Meaning & Origin
“Smell a rat” means to sense that something is off — that there may be a trick, lie, or hidden problem. The image comes from detecting a rat by its smell; over time it became a figurative way to say you suspect foul play.
Pronunciation Guide
- smell — short “e,” as in “sell.”
- a — often reduced to “uh.”
- rat — rhymes with “cat.”
- Natural rhythm: SMELL a RAT.
Usage & Sentence Examples
Use it when you suspect dishonesty, a trap, or a hidden issue.
- Investors smelled a rat when the numbers changed at the last minute.
- Call the vendor — I smell a rat in this revised contract.
- She smelled a rat and double‑checked the sender before clicking the link.
- Neighbors smelled a rat after the sudden price hike for parking.
- The team smelled a rat and asked for access to the raw data.
- Do you smell a rat, or is it just me?
Synonyms
suspect foul play · sense something is off · smell something fishy · be suspicious · see red flags · something doesn’t add up
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