# smell of the shop

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/smell-of-the-shop
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To indicate too distinctively one's occupation or profession.

## Examples

- 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.

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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.