come out smelling of roses
End up unscathed
To come out smelling of roses is to emerge from a difficult or potentially damaging situation with one's reputation intact or even enhanced.
The phrase often implies luck or skillful maneuvering rather than genuine innocence: He was involved in the scandal but somehow came out smelling of roses.
Sometimes used sarcastically when someone escapes consequences they probably deserved.
- unscathedSuffering no injury
- vindicatedCleared of accusation
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- emergeCome out into view
- smell like a roseAppear innocent despite circumstances
walk away clean · exonerated · scandal · egg on face · innocence · survive · triumph · untarnished · win-win · silver lining · absolution · turn the tables · clean slate · lily-white · unblemished · rise above · immaculate · pristine
come out smelling of rosescome a cropper
To fall or fail suddenly
crash and burn · go down in flames · take a hit · pay the price · suffer the consequences