0 to recognize that something is not as it appears to be or that something dishonest is happening: --
He's been working late with her every night this week - I smell a rat!
1 to believe something is wrong: --
When I got an e-mail asking for my password, I should have smelled a rat.
NYA ORD
European
May 10, 2021
DAGENS ORD
Shimmer
smell a rat