Where there's smoke there's fire

Cultural  

1. The very presence of a rumor means that something is afoot, even if not exactly what is rumored.

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Example Sentences

"Where there's smoke, there's fire," he said, when asked if his job was on the line before the 1-1 Premier League draw at Crystal Palace last month, likely creating a deeper rift.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, is their favorite metaphor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2018

"Where there's smoke, there's fire," said Wallace Steele, 62, a pastor of New Birth Missionary church here, who said he and most in his congregation had little doubt Moore was guilty.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2017

Said Mrs. Frances Putnam, his mother, who had entertained them near Groton: "Where there's smoke, there's fire."

From Time Magazine Archive

"Where there's smoke there's fire, and you can't get men from various parts of the world testifying that they saw the Angels at Mons unless there is some foundation of truth in it."

From The Everlasting Arms by Hocking, Joseph