THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Smell a rat
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Suspect that something is wrong, dishonest or not as it seems.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- I smelled a rat when the seller refused to show any photos of the actual bicycle.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
Suspect that something is wrong, dishonest or not as it seems.
Show the answer
Smell a rat — Suspect that something is wrong, dishonest or not as it seems.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Smell a rat” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
Suspect that something is wrong, dishonest or not as it seems.
Compare: I smelled a rat when the seller refused to show any photos of the actual bicycle.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this informal expression when details make you suspicious. It expresses suspicion rather than proving that someone has acted dishonestly.
More examples in context
- The detective began to smell a rat when the two accounts contradicted each other.
- We smelt a rat when the supposedly free offer required an unexplained payment.
Usage note
Both “smelled” and “smelt” are past forms. No actual smell or animal is involved. Give the reason for your concern rather than treating the idiom as evidence.
A short conversation
A: Why didn’t you book through that message?
B: I smelled a rat. It claimed to be from the venue but named the wrong event.
A: Checking directly with the venue was sensible.
One more practice question
Which reaction does “smell a rat” describe?
A. Suspecting that something is not right.
B. Being certain that everything is honest and clear.
Check your answer
A. The expression signals suspicion about how things appear.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.