# smell a rat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/smell-a-rat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To sense something suspicious.

## Examples

- I smell a rat when he avoids my questions.
- The accountant smelled a rat when the numbers didn't add up, so she checked them twice.
- Though the deal seemed generous, the experienced lawyer smelled a rat and insisted on reading every clause before his client signed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.