it smells right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it smells right" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something seems appropriate or acceptable based on intuition or sensory perception. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I have to say, it smells right to me; I think we should move forward with it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Watching what I've had to do, with the company I'm trying to hold together, I think it smells right," he said, addressing criticism of generous pay and benefits for executives while employees lost their jobs, severance packages and retirement savings.

Forbes

It smells right, but the steam table might make you a little suspicious.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It smelled right and it felt right," Mr. Bush recalled, adding, "I really wanted to be my own man, my own businessman".

The New York Times

It was an extremely exciting, daring proposal, but also mathematically so natural that one could not but feel that it smelled right.

The Guardian

"It feels and smells right, and it sounds different going through the water.

The New York Times - Sports

The other location where socialism smells "right" is the trenches of wartime Spain.

The Guardian - Books

Blue Smoke certainly smells right, despite an elaborate ventilation system and a neighbor-friendly smokestack fifteen stories up.

The New Yorker

"Nothing looks right, nothing smells right, I can't land," Mr. Caws sings in "Fruit Fly," which uses an insect's point of view to illustrate directionless existence.

The New York Times - Arts

While I'm usually skeptical of expert consensus, this smells right.

Forbes

Krua Siri smells right, but the menu seems all wrong.

Los Angeles Times

If they can get out horse and stable smells, they should work for cigarette smells, right?

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it smells right" to express a gut feeling or intuition that something is correct or appropriate, especially when you can't pinpoint a specific reason why.

Common error

Avoid using "it smells right" in contexts that demand factual evidence or logical reasoning. Overusing sensory language can weaken your argument in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it smells right" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI shows examples where it expresses a subjective assessment of correctness or appropriateness, often based on intuition rather than concrete facts. It is used to convey a feeling that something is valid or acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it smells right" is an idiomatic expression used to convey a subjective feeling that something is correct or appropriate. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and is mostly found in informal contexts, such as news articles or casual conversations. While it's a useful way to express intuition, it's best to avoid using it in formal settings where objective evidence is required. Alternative phrases like "it feels right" or "it seems right" can also be used to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it feels right

Changes the sensory modality from olfactory to tactile, focusing on a feeling rather than a smell.

it seems right

Replaces the sensory input with a cognitive assessment of correctness.

it sounds right

Shifts the sensory modality to auditory, suggesting the information is appropriate or correct.

it looks right

Changes the sensory modality to visual, implying something appears correct or suitable.

it checks out

Uses a colloquial expression indicating something has been verified and found to be correct.

it holds up

Suggests something remains valid or consistent under scrutiny.

it rings true

Emphasizes the authenticity and credibility of something.

it is on the level

Uses a slang term to express that something is honest and legitimate.

it adds up

Suggests that the details of a situation are consistent and make sense together.

it computes

Implies that something makes logical sense or is consistent with expectations.

FAQs

What does the idiom "it smells right" mean?

The idiom "it smells right" suggests that something feels correct or appropriate based on intuition or a general sense, rather than on concrete evidence. It implies a subjective feeling of validity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it smells right"?

Use "it smells right" when you want to express a feeling that something is correct or acceptable, even if you can't explain why. It's often suitable in informal conversations or when discussing subjective opinions.

What are some alternatives to saying "it smells right"?

You can use alternatives like "it feels right", "it seems right", or "it sounds right" depending on the context. These phrases convey a similar sense of something being intuitively correct or appropriate.

Is "it smells right" considered formal or informal language?

"It smells right" is generally considered informal language. It is best suited for casual conversations and less appropriate for formal writing or presentations.