Idioms for rat
smell a rat,
to suspect or surmise treachery; have suspicion: After noting several discrepancies in his client's story, the attorney began to smell a rat.
Origin of rat
before 1000; Middle English
rat(t)e, Old English
ræt; cognate with Dutch
rat, German
Ratz, Ratte
OTHER WORDS FROM rat
rat·like, adjectiveWords nearby rat
British Dictionary definitions for smell a rat
rat
/ (ræt) /
noun
verb rats, ratting or ratted
(intr usually foll by on) informal
- to divulge secret information (about); betray the trust (of)
- to default (on); abandonhe ratted on the project at the last minute
to hunt and kill rats
See also
rats
Derived forms of rat
ratlike, adjectiveWord Origin for rat
Old English
rætt; related to Old Saxon
ratta, Old High German
rato
Medical definitions for smell a rat
rat
[ răt ]
n.
Any of various long-tailed rodents of the genus Rattus and related genera, including certain strains used in scientific research and certain species that are vectors for various diseases.
Cultural definitions for smell a rat
smell a rat
To sense foul play: “They claim they will honor the terms of the contract, but I smell a rat.”
Idioms and Phrases with smell a rat (1 of 2)
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. 1550]
Idioms and Phrases with smell a rat (2 of 2)
rat