- To suspect that something is wrong, dishonest, or deceptive about a situation.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from the fact that fish begins to smell unpleasant soon after being caught if not properly preserved.
- A fishy smell became associated with something being not quite right, spoiled, or suspicious.
- This literal sense was extended metaphorically to situations that arouse suspicion. The phrase dates back to the early 19th century.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Seems shady
- Somethin' ain't right
- Gives me bad vibes
- Seems sketchy / sus (Short for suspicious, popular online/younger slang)
Milder/Formal:
- Appears questionable
- Warrants further investigation
- Raises doubts
- Lacks credibility
Situational Appropriateness
- Mostly informal to semi-formal.
- In very formal settings, arouses suspicion or seems suspect might be preferred.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Completely figurative. Non-native speakers must understand it relates to suspicion, not a literal smell.
Examples
- His excuse for being late smelled fishy to me.
- The police smelled something fishy about the witness's statement.
- When the deal seemed too good to be true, I started to smell something fishy.
Dialogue
Agent K: The suspect claims he was home alone all night.
Agent J: Hmm, but his neighbor saw someone leaving his house around midnight. I smell something fishy.
Agent K: Agreed. Let's check the security footage from the street.
Agent J: Good idea. His story doesn't add up.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Got an email saying I won a lottery I never entered. Definitely smells fishy. #ScamAlert
- Post: He changed his story three times. Anyone else smell something fishy here? 🤔 #Suspicious
- Comment: The way they suddenly dropped the price makes me smell something fishy. What's the catch?
Response Patterns
- Really? What makes you say that?
- Yeah, I thought so too.
- Maybe you're just being paranoid?
- Let's look into it more closely.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone says they smell something fishy:
- One might ask What specifically seems off? or Do you have any proof?
- Action often involves investigating further or being more cautious.
Conversation Starter
- No. Expresses suspicion about something already under discussion.
Intonation
- Emphasis on smell and fishy. I SMELL something FISHY.
- Often said with a tone of suspicion or doubt.
Generation Differences
- Well-understood across generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.