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Definition

To be regarded as appealing, virtuous, or respectable; to be untainted or unharmed.

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In Context

  • "come out smelling like a rose"
  • ""I don't suppose anyone from the director down will come out of this deal smelling like a rose," the warden commented, "but our only hope is that some good will result from the hearing.""
  • "But compared to others, Dent came out of the Depression "smelling like a rose." He later boasted that he made $18,000 a year with his writing during the Depression."
  • "The champion of corporate governance should smell like a rose. Instead, there's an unpleasant whiff of pork-barrel politics rising from the board."
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See Also

  • a rose by any other name would smell as sweet
  • come up roses
  • odour of sanctity
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Related Idioms

s

smell like a tart's handbag

To smell strongly of perfume.

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smell a rat

To sense something suspicious.

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smell the barn

To act with renewed energy or speed or to experience heightened antici…

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smell of an oily rag

A very small amount, or the absolute minimum (usually of money).

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smell blood

To sense that one has an advantage over an adversary or rival.

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smell of the lamp

To bear marks of great study and labor.
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