Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
smell a fox. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
smell a fox, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
smell a fox in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
smell a fox you have here. The definition of the word
smell a fox will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
smell a fox, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Phrase
smell a fox.
- (obsolete) To be suspicious of deception.
- Synonym: smell a rat
1611, The Atheist's Tragedy, page 316:Lang.: A ghost ? Where, my lord ?—I smell a fox.
1754, Aesop's Fables: with his life, and morals and remarks. Fitted for the meanest capacities., page 24:Aſter the Porcupine had liſtened a while to his deceitful Arguments, he made this Reply to the enſnaring Beguiler, Methinks I ſmell a Fox, keep at a Diſtance; your eloquent Flouriſhes have made no Impreſſions upon me.
1766, The fool of quality; or, the history of Henry Earl of Moreland. By Mr. Brooke. A new edition, greatly altered and improved., page 183:[…] when, hearing a little titter in the neighbouring ſchool room, he began to ſmell a fox, and dreſſing him-ſelf again, with a malignant determination of better note for the future […]