a whiff of payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a whiff of payment" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you want to imply a hint or suggestion of payment, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "After the negotiations, there was just a whiff of payment in the air, hinting at a possible deal."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Instant return has a whiff of payment about it, of reluctance to accept a moral debt," she writes, adding, "One is supposed to savor the gift, think about it, spend time remembering the person who gave it".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A whiff of schadenfreude.

The New York Times

A whiff of hypocrisy?

The Guardian - Sport

Not a whiff of lesbianism.

The Guardian - Books

A whiff of withholding information does that.

The New Yorker

It also carried a whiff of panic.

The New York Times

I detect a whiff of desert wildflowers.

The New York Times

Sometimes there's a whiff of scandal.

The New York Times - Arts

But not a whiff of that here.

The New York Times - Books

There's a whiff of schadenfreude throughout.

The New York Times - Books

Also a whiff of corruption.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a whiff of payment", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a subtle or indirect indication, not an actual payment. This phrasing is more figurative than literal.

Common error

Avoid using "a whiff of payment" in contexts where a direct or literal description of payment is needed. This phrase is best suited for suggesting an intangible or subtle aspect related to payment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a whiff of payment" functions as a noun phrase acting as an object or complement, typically suggesting a faint or subtle indication related to payment. Ludwig indicates that the phrase isn't standard but acceptable in certain contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a whiff of payment" is a figurative expression used to suggest a faint or subtle indication related to payment. While Ludwig notes that it isn't a standard phrase, it can be acceptable in contexts where subtlety and nuance are desired, predominantly in News & Media. Alternatives include "a hint of payment" or "a trace of payment", offering similar but slightly different connotations. It's important to use this phrase carefully, ensuring that the context clearly indicates the indirect nature of the suggestion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of payment

Replaces "whiff" with "hint", suggesting a subtle and indirect indication of payment.

a trace of payment

Uses "trace" instead of "whiff", implying an even fainter and less obvious sign of payment.

a suggestion of payment

Replaces "whiff" with "suggestion", making the indication more explicit and intentional.

an implication of payment

Emphasizes the indirect and inferred nature of the payment, suggesting it's not stated directly.

a sign of payment

Uses "sign" to indicate a visible or noticeable indicator of payment.

a whisper of payment

Suggests a very subtle, almost imperceptible indication of payment.

a shadow of payment

Implies a vague and indistinct presence or possibility of payment.

an odor of payment

Uses "odor" to create a more figurative and potentially negative connotation of payment.

a suspicion of payment

Indicates that there is a feeling or belief that payment might be involved, without concrete evidence.

a faint sense of payment

Highlights the subtle and indistinct feeling or impression related to payment.

FAQs

How can I use "a whiff of payment" in a sentence?

You can use "a whiff of payment" to suggest a subtle or indirect indication of payment, such as "After the deal, there was "a whiff of payment" in the air, hinting at a possible agreement."

What's the difference between "a whiff of payment" and "a hint of payment"?

"A whiff of payment" implies an even fainter and less obvious sign compared to "a hint of payment", making it a more subtle suggestion.

What can I say instead of "a whiff of payment"?

You can use alternatives like "a trace of payment", "a suggestion of payment", or "an implication of payment" depending on the desired level of directness.

Is "a whiff of payment" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "a whiff of payment" is a figurative expression. Its usage is acceptable when aiming to convey a subtle or indirect association with payment, but it might not be suitable for formal or technical contexts.