smell test

[ smel test ]

noun

1. the practice of determining the freshness of fish or other food with the nose rather than the eye.
2. an instinctive assessment of whether someone or something is ethical and genuine or deceptive and corrupt.

Word History and Origins

Origin of smell test¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pass the smell test, to be found ethical or genuine, typically by an instinctive sense or quick, informal assessment (usually used in the negative):

   Their next concern was would she pass the smell test? Although the age of the painting was scientifically verified, it didn’t pass the smell test with art historians.

Example Sentences

“It didn’t pass the smell test,” he said.

From Salon

The communist digs at the vice president are a specter haunting Trump's campaign and they'd pass the smell test about as quickly as a corpse.

From Salon

“The whole thing does not pass the smell test.”

From Seattle Times

“That doesn’t pass the smell test.”

From Salon

However, much of the debate around the new disclosure rule has focused on whether it passes the cost-benefit smell test.

From Salon