seems fishy

USAGE SUMMARY

"seems fishy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express skepticism or doubt about something that was said or presented. For example, "The story you're telling me about winning the lottery seems fishy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The whole thing seems fishy".

The New Yorker

In one case, he writes, "police searched the wrong house and still located evidence against the intended target".At least some of the evidence seems fishy.

The Economist

"If you get an e-mail or see something on the Web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to [email protected]".gov

The New York Times - Health

It seems fishy not just because of McDaniels's inside knowledge of the Broncos, but also because of the Patriots' and McDaniels's illegal taping maneuvers that landed them in probably not enough hot water with the N.F.L.

The New York Times

Some people might use a blind date to reinvent themselves, so watch out for anything that seems fishy, and there's always the chance you'll have nothing in common (check out our tips for making a quick getaway on page 19).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, Brian Wingfield, of Forbes, says "something seems fishy" about the fact that the news about the TARP came on the eve of a Presidential speech on the economy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Among the flagged loans were those in which appraisals seemed fishy or the mortgages went to borrowers with credit scores far below acceptable levels.

The New York Times

The second time a woman appeared out of nowhere, to ululate and shout the praises of Hosni Mubarak in front of television cameras, something started to seem fishy.

The New Yorker

The former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas told the Miami radio station WQAM that the line of inactive Jets players seemed fishy, too orderly, obviously instructed.

The New York Times - Sports

Doesn't it seem fishy that he should become involved with Trotsky's secretary after writing an admiring interview with her master for the UK press?

The Guardian - Books

The notion that algebra would ever be useful seemed fishy, but the grownups insisted: education, no matter how apparently arbitrary, leads to jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "appears dubious" or "raises concerns" for a more professional tone.

Common error

While "seems fishy" is widely understood, it can sound too informal in academic or professional settings. Opt for alternatives that maintain a more serious and objective tone in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems fishy" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating a perception or impression that something is not right or trustworthy. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase expresses skepticism or doubt.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems fishy" is a common expression used to convey a sense of suspicion or doubt about something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English, often employed to express skepticism. While grammatically sound and widely understood, "seems fishy" might not always be suitable for formal contexts, where alternatives such as "appears dubious" or "raises concerns" may be more appropriate. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, as well as in informal online content. Its straightforward meaning makes it a useful tool for expressing initial impressions of untrustworthiness, inviting further investigation. For more formal settings, consider using the semantically related alternatives like appears suspicious, smells like a rat, or raises eyebrows.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears suspicious

Replaces "fishy" with "suspicious", focusing on the appearance of something potentially wrong.

smells like a rat

Uses a figurative expression to indicate something is questionable or dishonest.

raises eyebrows

Emphasizes that something is causing concern or skepticism.

doesn't pass the smell test

Indicates that something seems wrong or untrustworthy upon initial assessment.

rings alarm bells

Suggests something is warning of potential danger or deception.

looks dodgy

Uses a slang term to express that something appears unreliable or illegal.

feels off

Conveys a sense that something is not right or as it should be.

appears dubious

Replaces "fishy" with a more formal term, "dubious", suggesting uncertainty or doubt.

seems questionable

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of confidence in something.

raises suspicion

Focuses on the aspect of causing people to be suspicious of something.

FAQs

How can I use "seems fishy" in a sentence?

You can use "seems fishy" when you suspect something isn't right or honest. For example, "The deal "seems fishy" because the numbers don't add up."

What does "seems fishy" mean?

It means something appears suspicious, questionable, or not entirely truthful. It's an expression used to convey that something doesn't feel right.

What can I say instead of "seems fishy"?

You can use alternatives like "appears suspicious", "smells like a rat", or "raises eyebrows depending on the context".

Is "seems fishy" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "seems fishy" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use phrases like "appears dubious" or "raises concerns".