smell test

American  

[smel test] / ˈsmɛl ˌtɛst /

noun

1. the practice of determining the freshness of fish or other food with the nose rather than the eye.

2. an instinctive assessment of whether someone or something is ethical and genuine or deceptive and corrupt.

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idioms

1. pass the smell test, to be found ethical or genuine, typically by an instinctive sense or quick, informal assessment (usually used in the negative).

   Their next concern was would she pass the smell test? Although the age of the painting was scientifically verified, it didn’t pass the smell test with art historians.

Etymology

Origin of smell test

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Bonin said the criminal case never “passed the smell test” to him, and that it didn’t seem as serious as crimes committed by other city councilmembers like Mitch Englander and Jose Huizar.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a compromise that may or may not pass the smell test.

From Los Angeles Times

“The whole thing doesn’t pass the smell test,” asserted right-of-center economist Noah Smith in a very lengthy rebuttal.

From Los Angeles Times

Even if he hadn’t, the argument doesn’t pass the smell test.

From The Wall Street Journal

And there is the shoddy nature of the indictments themselves, which don’t pass the smell test.

From Slate