catch the whiff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catch the whiff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to detecting a faint smell or hint of something, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "As I walked past the bakery, I caught the whiff of freshly baked bread that made my mouth water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Like innocent fourth-years at their first festival who catch the whiff of something not quite legal on the wind, we're now starting to recognise it when it comes round again.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"When a ferry from Miyake approached the jetty in Tokyo, I caught the whiff of Tokyo".

The New York Times

Mr. Breitbart had caught the whiff of vanity, and he liked the aroma.

The New York Times

I caught the whiff of her on him, and blond hairs twinkled on his clothes, but I behaved impeccably.

The Guardian - Books

Last week against Ireland, the Tricolores struggled to retain possession at the ruck when Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip and the magnificent Stephen Ferris caught the whiff of a potential turnover.

Independent

Lewis seems to have caught the whiff of something nasty about two minutes after arriving at Tesco towers: making peace with suppliers was one of his first reforms.

The Guardian - Business

Elder caught the whiff of danger that suffuses the whole piece, and with the LSO woodwind players in particularly fine form in their many striking solos, the tremendous opening largo unfolded with force and logic.

The Guardian - Music

What's most baffling of all, perhaps, is that precious few of the critical fraternity caught the whiff of spectacular failure (and though I didn't actually review it, by way of a mea culpa, I include myself in that).

The Guardian - Music

The "four book rule" had a lot of you incensed and AggieH caught the whiff of corruption; a conspiracy to hold back Robinson and "fix it for Capote"... AggieH: The case for the greatness for each of [Robinson's] three novels, and for their collective greatness as a body of work, was dismissed unheard solely because of an arbitrary rule that you broke yourself solely to fix it for Capote.

The Guardian - Books

That at least is the assumption of foreign money managers, who have caught the whiff a honey pot.

Forbes

Stroll alongside Amsterdam's canals, and you'll catch the distinctive whiff from the city's famous stalls selling snack-size portions of succulent herring with onion pickle – a bargain at €3 a shot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch the whiff" to subtly suggest that someone has detected something not immediately obvious, such as a hidden problem or opportunity. It adds nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "catch the whiff" solely in contexts involving literal smells. Its strength lies in implying a figurative detection of something subtle or concealed. Limit literal application to olfactory situations only.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch the whiff" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. It describes the act of detecting a subtle indication or sign of something, which is often more figurative than literal. Ludwig AI validates its conventional usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch the whiff" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of detecting a subtle hint or indication of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While it is not suitable for extremely formal or technical writing, it effectively conveys nuanced observations. Related phrases include "detect a hint" and "pick up on a scent", offering alternative ways to express a similar sentiment. When using this phrase, remember that its strength lies in figurative applications rather than literal olfactory descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a scent of

Similar to the original, but puts emphasis on obtaining a smell.

detect the aroma

Synonymous replacement with an emphasis on a more pleasant smell

pick up on a scent

Highlights the act of noticing a smell, whether literal or figurative.

detect a hint

Focuses on perceiving a slight indication rather than specifically a scent.

sense a trace

Emphasizes a minimal amount or presence being detected.

get wind of

Means to hear a rumor or piece of information.

smell a rat

Idiomatic expression for suspecting something is wrong or deceitful.

notice a sign

Focuses on seeing an indicator rather than sensing a smell.

become aware of

General awareness without specifying the sense.

perceive an inkling

Highlights the feeling or intuition of something rather than a concrete sense.

FAQs

How can I use "catch the whiff" in a sentence?

You can use "catch the whiff" to describe subtly detecting something, like: "The investors "caught the whiff" of potential profit and quickly invested in the company."

What does it mean to "catch the whiff" of something?

To "catch the whiff" of something means to subtly detect or become aware of it, often implying that it's not immediately obvious or apparent to everyone.

What can I say instead of "catch the whiff"?

You can use alternatives like "detect a hint", "pick up on a scent", or "get wind of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "catch the whiff" a formal or informal expression?

"Catch the whiff" leans towards a more informal register but is acceptable in neutral contexts. Avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing.