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"smells fishy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express suspicion or to insinuate that something isn't right. For example, "The way he was acting was strange- it smelled fishy."
Dictionary
smells fishy
verb
Third person singular of smell fishy
Exact(26)
If something smells fishy — it's Gonnerman's.
She thinks the whole thing smells fishy, too.
But what if part of that industry is predicated on a notion that smells fishy?
I've been told that if fish smells fishy, it's not good.
"Residents of Massachusetts are used to spending time near the ocean; we know when something smells fishy".
"That's a fish tale," for example, and "That smells fishy," suggest a highly exaggerated story or blatant lie or misdeed.
Similar(34)
Something smelled fishy.
But something smelled fishy.
Some differences, however, smell fishy.
"Fresh fish should not smell fishy — at all," Ciuba says.
Liver disease, by contrast, often causes the breath to smell fishy.
More suggestions(4)
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com