# smell what someone is stepping in

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/smell-what-someone-is-stepping-in
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Alternative form of pick up what someone is putting down.

## Examples

- I explain the rules, and he finally smells what I am stepping in.
- She gave me a long look during the meeting, and I think I finally smell what she is stepping in.
- Although the instructions were initially cryptic, the team eventually grasped the underlying strategy and began to smell what the manager was stepping in.

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