Meaning: To be suspicious of someone or something.

Examples:

The students were very, very quiet when their teacher entered the room, and so the teacher smelled a rat.

“I smell a rat,” said the police detective after talking to the criminal.

After seeing that the email came from a strange address, I smelled a rat and didn’t open it.

Pop Quiz:

You might smell a rat if…

A.  your boss pays you on time.

B.  a stranger calls you asking for your address and social security number.

C.  a cashier gives you the correct change.

Click on “Continue reading” to see the correct answer:

The correct answer is B. You should definitely smell a rat if someone asks for your personal information over the phone!