smell test

USAGE SUMMARY

"smell test" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means to assess or evaluate something using common sense or intuition. Example: Before investing in a new business opportunity, it's important to give it a smell test to ensure it's not a scam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"That's a smell test".

The New York Times - Arts

"It doesn't pass the smell test".

The New Yorker

So we do a blind smell test.

The New York Times - Food

Another lot failed a different smell test.

The Economist

"This doesn't pass the smell test".

The New Yorker

But the smell test lacks specifics.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't quite pass the smell test".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Often, they just resorted to the garlic-smell test.

The New Yorker

"This has a smell-test problem," one of them said.

The New Yorker

Don't forget to smell-test it first!

WikiHow

But here's the thing, there is no right-wing smell test.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing literal olfactory examination of something use "odor test" instead of "smell test".

Common error

Avoid using "smell test" when a thorough, detailed investigation is required. This phrase implies a quick, surface-level assessment, not an in-depth analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smell test" functions as a noun, often used as a metaphor. It refers to a quick, intuitive assessment of something's authenticity, credibility, or ethical nature, relying on common sense. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it often appears in contexts where something "doesn't pass" this test, indicating a problem or suspicion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "smell test" is a common idiomatic expression primarily functioning as a noun, indicating a quick, intuitive assessment based on common sense. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and often used to evaluate the authenticity, credibility, or ethical nature of something. While frequent in news and media, it's less suitable for formal academic writing. When writing, remember to use "smell test" for quick, intuitive judgments and avoid it when a thorough analysis is necessary. Also, remember to be precise when you are referring to literal odor analysis, as clarified in one of the "writing_guidance". Alternatives like "gut check" or "sanity check" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gut check

Emphasizes intuitive assessment rather than sensory examination.

sanity check

Focuses on assessing the rationality or soundness of something.

reality check

Highlights an assessment of whether something aligns with reality.

litmus test

Implies a single, critical indicator determines an outcome.

common sense evaluation

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more literal description of using practical judgment.

intuitive assessment

Highlights the role of intuition in the evaluation process.

basic evaluation

Downplays the specific method, emphasizing the simplicity of the assessment.

preliminary assessment

Indicates an initial evaluation, suggesting further investigation may be needed.

initial impression

Focuses on the immediate feeling or judgment formed.

cursory inspection

Highlights a quick and superficial examination.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "doesn't pass the smell test"?

It means something seems suspicious, unethical, or simply doesn't feel right based on intuition or common sense. It suggests there's a problem that's easily detected, even without detailed analysis.

How can I use the phrase "smell test" in a sentence?

You can say, "The deal didn't pass the smell test, so we decided not to invest", or "Let's give this proposal a quick smell test before we spend too much time on it".

What's an alternative to saying something "passes the smell test"?

Alternatives include "seems legitimate", "appears credible", or "feels right". These phrases all suggest that something is acceptable upon initial assessment, similar to the nuance of "gut check".

Is "smell test" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "smell test" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, consider using more precise terms like "preliminary evaluation" or "intuitive assessment" to maintain a professional tone. However, in some News & Media articles can be used for emphasis or to convey a sense of immediacy.