smell of the shop
To indicate too distinctively one's occupation or profession.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His constant talk about spreadsheets really has the smell of the shop.”
“Even at the dinner party, the lawyer could not stop citing legal precedents, which really had the smell of the shop.”
“The professor struggled to connect with people outside academia, as his every observation carried the distinct smell of the shop.”
- 01
big shop
A large, regular purchase of groceries; as opposed to ad hoc or impulse purchases.
- 02
bull in a china shop
A person who is clumsy, aggressive, without care, concern or self-control.
- 03
hit the shops
To become available for purchase at retail locations.
- 04
set up shop
To establish a business.
- 05
smell a rat
To sense something suspicious.
- 06
smell blood
To sense that one has an advantage over an adversary or rival.
- 07
smell fishy
To seem suspicious.
- 08
smell like a rose
To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.
Last updated August 10, 2026