sounds fishy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sounds fishy" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that seems suspicious or not believable. Example: "Her explanation for being late sounds fishy. I think she's hiding something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It sounds fishy.

The New York Times

"That sounds fishy.

The New Yorker

TELL me if this sounds fishy.

The Economist

TRADE FOR GOOD: Something sounds fishy about houseacquisition without money, or at least without banks.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Sounds fishy to me," said Mr. Green, who added that he is contemplating legal action.

The New York Times - Arts

If the claims have important ramifications or the evidence sounds fishy, then it is not good enough to rewrite the press release.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Well, actually, I'd like it to say 'figment.'" Does that elegant drollery sound fishy, from the monosyllabic Andy?

The New Yorker

Six years later, Baldwin mentioned the matter to some artist friends, who told him that the story sounded fishy, and that no reputable artist or dealer would clean a painting without permission from the owner.

The New Yorker

Anything sound fishy to you?

TechCrunch

(I always thought this whole thing sounded fishy.

TechCrunch

This already sounded fishy to me, but only to me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sounds fishy" when you want to express a gut feeling that something isn't quite right, without necessarily having concrete evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "sounds fishy" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "seems questionable" or "raises concerns" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sounds fishy" functions as an idiomatic expression, adding a layer of subjective assessment to a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. It expresses a speaker's suspicion or doubt about something they've heard or observed. The verb "sounds" links the observation to a feeling of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Tech

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sounds fishy" is a common and generally acceptable way to express suspicion or disbelief in English. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. While it's prevalent in news and media contexts, its informal tone makes it less suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "seems suspicious" or "is questionable" can be used in more formal settings. Remember to use "sounds fishy" when you want to convey a gut feeling of something being amiss, but be mindful of your audience and the context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is questionable

Directly states that something is open to doubt or challenge.

is dubious

Similar to "is questionable" but carries a slightly stronger connotation of doubt.

seems suspicious

Focuses on the element of suspicion rather than potential deception.

doesn't add up

Indicates that the details of a situation are inconsistent or illogical.

raises suspicion

Highlights the act of causing suspicion or doubt.

appears doubtful

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of confidence in something.

arouses mistrust

Emphasizes the feeling of mistrust that something generates.

rings hollow

Emphasizes the lack of genuineness or sincerity.

smells like a rat

Uses a more figurative and informal expression of suspicion.

seems improbable

Focuses on the low likelihood of something being true or accurate.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "sounds fishy"?

When something "sounds fishy", it means that it seems suspicious, untrustworthy, or not entirely believable. It suggests that something is amiss and warrants further investigation or skepticism.

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

You can use "sounds fishy" to express your suspicion about a situation. For example, "His explanation for the missing money sounds fishy to me."

What can I say instead of "sounds fishy"?

You can use alternatives like "seems suspicious", "appears doubtful", or "is questionable" depending on the context.

Is "sounds fishy" appropriate for formal writing?

While "sounds fishy" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more neutral and professional alternatives like "raises concerns" or "seems improbable".