sniff out

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to detect through shrewdness or instinct

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sniff out Idioms  

1. Uncover, as If there's anything to that rumor, Gladys will sniff it out. This expression alludes to an animal sniffing for prey. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Buyers who come in with those baselines have an easier time sniffing out bad deals.

From The Wall Street Journal

Danoff’s long success was due in part to his ability to sniff out large growth companies early and ride them for years of gains.

From Barron's

Just ask Ernie, the canine star of an article about dogs trained to sniff out prison contraband.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I shall go back to the weird empty field where the humans keep their big, loud, smoky pulling machines and sniff out the names of the other members of the pack.”

From Literature

His most productive period straddled the era of the Shah and then the Islamic theocratic forces that deposed him - with both systems ever ready to sniff out hidden messages that could be interpreted as dissent.

From BBC

Related Words

• ascertain
• bring to light
• drive out
• get at
• uncover
• unearth