something fishy

USAGE SUMMARY

"something fishy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a suspicious feeling you may have in a particular situation. For example, "I had a feeling there was something fishy going on in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's something fishy here.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But something fishy emerged.

The Economist

JUNE 10 -- "Something Fishy".

The New York Times

Surely something fishy there.

The Guardian

"Something fishy is going on.

The New York Times

Once again, the stalling suggests something fishy.

University of California, Berkeley

There's clearly something fishy about these Malays.

The Washington Post

Something fishy may be going on.

The Washington Post

Something fishy swam through her stomach.

The New York Times

But there was something fishy, she said.

The New York Times

Something fishy was going on there.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "something fishy" to express a gut feeling or intuition that something is not quite right, rather than as a definitive statement of fact. It's best used when you suspect deception or hidden motives but lack concrete evidence.

Common error

While "something fishy" is widely understood, it is generally considered informal. Avoid using it in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Instead, opt for more professional alternatives like "suspicious activity" or "irregularities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something fishy" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a sense of suspicion or distrust about a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

11%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "something fishy" is a commonly used idiomatic expression to express a feeling of suspicion or that something is not quite right. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable in written English, especially in informal contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, its purpose is to convey a hunch or intuition about potential deception. While versatile, remember that due to its informality, it is better to use it in a correct context. Alternatives include phrases like "something suspicious" or "something is amiss" to maintain the same meaning with slight nuance variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something's not right

Focuses on the general feeling of unease or irregularity, without necessarily implying deception.

something seems suspicious

Emphasizes the presence of circumstances that provoke doubt or mistrust.

there's something odd going on

Highlights the unusual or peculiar nature of events.

I smell a rat

An idiomatic expression indicating a strong suspicion of deceit or betrayal.

it doesn't add up

Implies that facts or details are inconsistent or illogical.

I have a bad feeling about this

Expresses a sense of foreboding or apprehension about a situation.

something's amiss

A more formal way of saying that something is wrong or out of place.

this raises red flags

Indicates that certain aspects of a situation serve as warnings or signs of potential problems.

it seems a bit off

Suggests that something is slightly wrong or not quite as it should be.

there's more than meets the eye

Hints at hidden or concealed aspects of a situation, implying it is more complex than it appears.

FAQs

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

You can use "something fishy" to express a suspicion that something is not right, such as: "I think there's "something fishy" about his explanation."

What are some synonyms for "something fishy"?

Alternatives to "something fishy" include "something suspicious", "something dubious", or "something is amiss". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "something fishy" in formal writing?

While "something fishy" is widely understood, it is considered informal. In formal contexts, use more professional alternatives like "suspicious activity" or "irregularities".

What does it mean when someone says "I smell something fishy"?

Saying "I smell "something fishy"" is an idiomatic way of expressing a strong suspicion or belief that someone is being dishonest or that something is not as it seems.