smells about right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smells about right" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that something seems acceptable or plausible, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, it smells about right to me, but I would like a second opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Smells about right," I said.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It smelled about right; the carbonation bubbled up my nose, thick and intoxicating, making me scrunch my face.

Vice

"This, which we know about right now, smells to high heaven," said Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Democrat of Mercer County.

The New York Times

He said something didn't "smell right" about the way Scotland are being refereed in this championship, but it was a stretch.

BBC

That sounds about right.

The New York Times - Sports

That seemed about right.

The New York Times - Arts

It feels about right.

Independent

That sounded about right.

The New York Times

That seems about right.

The New York Times

Sounds about right.

The New York Times

Sound about right?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smells about right" in informal contexts where a precise or detailed assessment is not required. It conveys a sense of general agreement or plausibility.

Common error

Avoid using "smells about right" in formal writing or professional settings where a more precise or technical assessment is expected. Opt for phrases like "appears accurate" or "seems plausible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smells about right" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey that something seems acceptable, plausible, or correct based on initial impressions. This is supported by Ludwig and the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smells about right" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig, it conveys a sense of something being generally acceptable or plausible, often in informal contexts. While it's frequently found in News & Media sources, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "seems plausible" or "appears correct" in professional or academic settings. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing whether to use "smells about right".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems plausible

Focuses on the believability or likelihood of something.

sounds reasonable

Emphasizes the logical or rational aspect of something.

seems correct

Highlights the accuracy or factual nature of something.

appears accurate

Similar to 'seems correct' but may imply a more formal assessment.

feels right

Implies a more intuitive or emotional sense of correctness.

seems legitimate

Focuses on the validity and lawfulness of something.

rings true

Conveys a sense of authenticity and sincerity.

that figures

Indicates that something is expected or not surprising.

that's about it

Implies completeness or the conclusion of something.

seems on point

Highlights the relevance and appropriateness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "smells about right" in a sentence?

You can use "smells about right" to indicate that something seems plausible or acceptable. For example: "After reviewing the data, the explanation "smells about right"."

What's the difference between "smells about right" and "sounds reasonable"?

"Smells about right" is more informal and suggests a general feeling of correctness, while "sounds reasonable" implies a more logical or rational assessment.

Which is correct, "smells about right" or "seems about right"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "seems about right" is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while "smells about right" is more informal.

What can I say instead of "smells about right"?

You can use alternatives like "seems plausible", "appears correct", or "feels right" depending on the context.