smell test

[smel test]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of smell test¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

"There's just the smell test," a Labour insider said.

From BBC

For an awful lot of people, that didn’t pass the smell test, and a whole new set of conspiracy theories were ignited.

From Salon

Patel's critics argue that he does not pass the smell test.

From Salon

“If it doesn’t pass the smell test, or if it sounds too good to be true — call my office for God’s sakes, I’ll flush it out for you, but please do not fall for these scams.”

From Los Angeles Times

Let’s say Alito merely sang the praises of his clerk, and Trump – who has suggested somehow disciplined himself and asked only specific questions about the applicants’ qualifications, this doesn’t pass the most basic smell test.

From Salon