scent blood

scent blood

To recognize or sense a weakness or vulnerability (especially a new one) in an opponent, adversary, or subject over which one is trying to gain an advantage. The phrase implies that such a weakness will then be acted upon to gain victory or advantage. The visiting squad is starting to look tired, and the home team scents blood. Look for them to try to close out the game. Do not give any indication that we are willing to settle. If we do, the attorneys will scent blood and we won't get what we want.
See also: blood, scent
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

scent blood

In a competitive situation, if you scent blood, you sense a weakness in your opponent and take advantage of it. Right-wing parties, scenting blood, have been holding talks aimed at building an alternative coalition. Note: You can also say that someone gets a scent of blood. The market has got the scent of blood and, having sniffed it, they are going for it.
See also: blood, scent
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • smell blood
  • I'll believe it when I see it
  • I'll believe it/that when I see it
  • like a duck to water
  • send (one) on (one's) way
  • add up to the same thing
  • amount to the same thing
  • amount/come to the same thing
  • know too much
  • do as I say
References in periodicals archive
Leeds sit bottom of Betfred Super League -- and other teams can scent blood.
No sympathy for rock-bottom Leeds -- but they can still turn this season around; RL legend Jamie Peacock compares Leeds Rhinos' woes to how rivals revelled in Manchester United's struggles of recent years
LEEDS RHINOS sit bottom of Betfred Super League - and other teams can scent blood.
Nobody's feeling sorry for struggling Rhinos but they CAN still turn this season around
Barcelona are like sharks who scent blood and finish you off.
Neymar confident of leading Barca to second miracle comeback
The Brexiters believe Carney was "too supportive of Britain remaining in the EU [and now] scent blood in their feud with the governor," the Financial Times said.
Speculation grows that Bank of England chief could resign
With Ahed's rearguard rarely troubled, Mahmoud Hammoud's men could scent blood, and they poured forward looking to sound the death knell to Nejmeh's flagging title hopes.
Ahed seal title with 2-0 win over Nejmeh
County scent blood with United labouring on an eight-game winless streak that has knocked the stuffing out of their season.
Woods: We'll pile on pain
I love the way that under Rodgers they've got goals in their DNA and scent blood right from the kick off, aiming not just to beat sides, but to try and demolish them.
A great chance now for great Reds team
Indeed, once the Geordie public scent blood ANYTHING can happen.
MAGIC OF ST JAMES' The magic can happen at the home of the Magpies
Durham's batting let them down in their opening game against Nottinghamshire and they were 82-6 in pursuit of 130 when the rain came against Middlesex last week so Surrey's bowlers could scent blood.
Surrey bowlers set to rule
True Wales - who are almost certain to form the "no" campaign' still scent blood.
SO IT'S A YES FROM ROGER
Labour lost control of the council in 2008 to an Independent/Conservatives coalition, and the main parties scent blood.
Hanson faces biggest test in over a decade; GENERAL ELECTION 2010: DELYN: Economy and local industry will be key
Now Hearts will move within six points of their bitter rivals with a victory today - and Laszlo (right) can scent blood.
CSABA: WE'RE THIRD FORCE; Third force
"I'm sorry to say that it's yet more of the media acting like a pack of hyenas when they scent blood.
Spell check; On the web
THE Great White Shark Greg Norman will be able to scent blood today as he tries to win The Senior Open title for the first time.
GREAT WHITE SHARK BITES
The public scent blood over this - and they will get it come polling on June 4..
Minister pays price; The Journal