catch a whiff of (something)
catch a whiff of (something)
1. Literally, to experience a faint odor or scent. Yuck, I just caught a whiff of dog poop. Did you step in some on the way home? I think I'm catching a whiff of garlic from the broth—is that correct?
2. To receive an extremely small portion or sample of something desirable. Health insurance, a company phone, and a pension plan? Man, I didn't catch a whiff of benefits like those when I was working for the company. He didn't patent the design, so he won't catch a whiff of the money they're making on it.
3. To receive a very small amount of information, especially just enough to give someone an indication or inkling of something. Make sure you don't let the boss catch a whiff of what you're trying to do, or you'll get fired so fast your head will spin! Detective Matheson says he's caught a whiff of something going down at the docks tomorrow night. Sounds like it could be a major drug deal.
See also: catch, of, whiff
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- get a whiff of (something)
- a whiff of (something)
- whiff
- whiff of
- dog-log
- poop (one's) pants
- scent out
- sanctity
- odor of sanctity
- odour of sanctity