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sniff out

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌsnɪf ˈaʊt/

sniff out means: To discover something hidden, often by carefully looking for clues.

verb

DISCOVER SOMETHING HIDDENC1

To discover something hidden, often by carefully looking for clues.

  • She can sniff out a lie.
  • Reporters sniffed out the secret deal.
  • He has a talent for sniffing out business opportunities.

How to use it: sniff something out (The journalist sniffed the story out before anyone else.)

Similar words: detect, uncover, ferret out

Common phrases: sniff out something, sniff out fraud

FIND BY SMELLB2

To find something by noticing its smell.

  • Dogs can sniff out food.
  • The trained dog sniffed out drugs in a suitcase.
  • Can pigs sniff out mushrooms under the ground?

How to use it: sniff something out (The dog sniffed the hidden food out.)

Similar words: smell out

Common phrases: sniff out something, sniff out drugs

Questions about sniff out

What does sniff out mean?

To discover something hidden, often by carefully looking for clues.

What is sniff out in other languages?

Türkçe: ortaya çıkarmak · Español: descubrir · Français: déceler · Deutsch: aufspüren · Italiano: scoprire · 日本語: 見抜く

How do you pronounce sniff out?

It is pronounced /ˌsnɪf ˈaʊt/.

How do you use sniff out in a sentence?

She can sniff out a lie. Reporters sniffed out the secret deal.

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sniff out in other languages

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