sniff out
To find by using the sense of smellTo find (something) by using the sense of smell.
» She sniffed out his true intentions, huh.
Meaning
2 senses(transitive)To find (something) by using the sense of smell.
Because they have far more powerful noses than humans, dogs are ideal to sniff out drugs.
выню́хиватьvynjúxivatʹ, вы́нюхатьvýnjuxatʹ, выню́хиватьvynjúxivatʹ
(broadly, figuratively, transitive)To detect (something hidden or invisible).
Near-synonyms: ferret out, weasel out
recognize or detect by or as if by smelling
Examples
4 sentencesShe sniffed out his true intentions, huh.
Dung beetles are good at sniffing out feces.
Dogs sniff out danger.
deHunde erschnüffeln Gefahr. — Yorwba
German Shepherds are good at sniffing out drugs.
deDeutsche Schäferhunde sind gut darin, Rauschgift zu erschnüffeln. — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Translations
4 languagesBy meaning 2
Forms
sniffs out, sniffing out, sniffed out, sniffed out| Base form | sniff out · to sniff out |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | sniffs out |
| Present participle | sniffing out |
| Past simple | sniffed out |
| Past participle | sniffed out |
irregular
Phrasal verbs
3 phrasal verbsSynonyms
5 synonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Phrasal verbs: introduction — Because it is a phrasal verb