Where does the phrase smell a rat come from?

The idiom smell a rat dates back to one of the oldest methods of controlling the rat population–a cat. The idiom to smell a rat is a reference to a cat's sense of smell. The earliest uses of this phrase involves not only a rat, but a cat.

What does the phrase smell a rat mean?

smell a rat. Suspect something is wrong, especially a betrayal of some kind. For example, When I didn't hear any more from my prospective employer, I began to smell a rat. This expression alludes to a cat sniffing out a rat. [ c.

Who said the quote I smell a rat?

He was a determined anti-federalist who believed in the rights of individual states, and the fact that the Constitutional Convention was being held in secret made him angry. Highly suspicious of the close-lipped proceedings, Patrick Henry proclaimed his distrust with the now-famous line, “I smell a rat!”

What figurative language is smelled a rat?

Origin of I Smell a Rat

Literally speaking, rats are smelly nuisances that carry infections and diseases. Figuratively speaking, a rat is someone who is a snitch or a government informant of some kind. If you smell a rat, you sense something suspicious about someone in your crew.

What does the phrase black sheep mean?

Definition of black sheep

: a disfavored or disreputable member of a group.

Smell a Rat Idiom - Intermediate English Lesson

What is the meaning of fish out of water idiom?

A person away from his or her usual environment or activities. For example, Using a computer for the first time, Carl felt like a fish out of water, or On a hiking trail, Nell was a fish out of water. This expression alludes to the fact that fish cannot survive for long on dry land. [

What does the idiom bring home the bacon mean?

Definition of bring home the bacon

informal. : to earn the money that is needed to live He worked hard all week to bring home the bacon for his family.

What is the meaning of idiom let the cat out of the bag?

To disclose a secret: “The mayor's visit was to be kept strictly confidential, but someone must have let the cat out of the bag, because the airport was swarming with reporters.”

Who is man of straw?

man of straw noun [C] (WEAK)

someone who has a weak character: He was accused by his opponents of being a man of straw and lacking in decisiveness.

How do you find a rat?

What is the meaning of the idiom a snake in the grass?

Definition of snake in the grass

: a secretly faithless friend.

What is the meaning of until the cows come home?

informal. : for a very long time They'll be arguing about this till the cows come home.

What is the meaning of money for old rope?

Definition of money for old rope

British, informal. : money that is easily earned or gotten : easy money.

What does spilling the beans mean?

Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.

What does hitting the nail on the head mean?

DEFINITION: It means “to do or say something that is exactly right.” You can use this phrase when someone finds the exact answer of a problem or a question. EXAMPLE: “You hit the nail on the head with this color of wallpaper for the living room; it looks better than I expected!”

What is the meaning of when pig fly?

Definition of when pigs fly

—used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.

Where did the expression go bananas come from?

The term going bananas is not as old as one may think, it has its roots on American college campuses in the 1960s. It is believed that the term going bananas is a term that evolved from the idiom going ape, which also means to go crazy, to explode with anger or to erupt with enthusiasm.

What is the meaning of born with silver spoon and fork?

born into a very rich family and having a privileged upbringing. This expression is usually used to show resentment or disapproval.

Where does get your goat come from?

To make someone annoyed or angry: “Gavin may seem unflappable, but I know a way to get his goat.” This expression comes from a tradition in horse racing. Thought to have a calming effect on high-strung thoroughbreds, a goat was placed in the horse's stall on the night before the race.

Where did the term cut the mustard come from?

WHEN MUSTARD was one of the main crops in East Anglia, it was cut by hand with scythes, in the same way as corn. The crop could grow up to six feet high and this was very arduous work, requiring extremely sharp tools. When blunt they "would not cut the mustard".

What does a hard nut to crack mean?

Definition of a hard/tough nut (to crack)

: a person or thing that is difficult to deal with, understand, or influence The team's defense is a tough nut to crack. The problem is a hard nut to crack. He's a tough nut, but I think I can get him to agree to the contract.

Can't cut the mustard meaning?

What does “cut the mustard” mean? To cut the mustard is “to reach or surpass the desired standard or performance” or more generally “to succeed, to have the ability to do something.” For instance, Beyoncé really cut the mustard in her new song.

What does make a monkey out of you mean?

: to cause (someone) to look very foolish : to make a fool out of (someone) I'm not going to let that salesman make a monkey out of me!

What does a cat and dog life mean?

Idiom : Cat-and-dog life

Meaning : This term refers to a life in which partners are constantly or frequently quarrelling. Usage : They lead a cat-and-dog life.