get a whiff of (something)
get a whiff of (something)
1. Literally, to experience a faint odor or scent. Yuck, I just got a whiff of dog poop. Did anyone step in any on the way home? I think I'm getting 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 get a whiff of benefits like those when I was working for the company. He didn't patent the design, so he won't get 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 get 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 gotten a whiff of something going down at the docks tomorrow night. Sounds like it could be a major drug deal.
See also: get, of, whiff
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- a whiff of (something)
- whiff
- whiff of
- catch a whiff of (something)
- not get a whiff of (something)
- dog-log
- wiff-sniffer
- poop (one's) pants
- scent out
- odour of sanctity