smell tests
Olfactory validity assessments
A smell test is an informal evaluation based on intuition or common sense rather than rigorous analysis.
The phrase comes from literally sniffing food to check if it's gone bad.
In figurative use, something that doesn't pass the smell test seems wrong, suspicious, or dishonest even if you can't identify exactly why.
The deal looked legitimate on paper, but it failed the smell test.
Politicians, journalists, and skeptics invoke smell tests to flag situations that feel off.
- olfactionSense of scent detection
- stenchPowerfully offensive odor
- aromaPleasant distinctive smell
- scentAirborne odor detected
- odorPerceived atmospheric emission
anosmia · reasonableness · red flag · perfume · fragrance · plausibility · nose · gut check · common sense · bouquet · whiff · first impression · quality control · pheromones · checkup · trial · rotten · bad vibes
- preschool science educationnature walks, plant growth, water play, sensory bins, magnets
smell testsscientific method
Structured process for investigation
empirical study · statistical analysis · forensic analysis · controlled experiment · controlled experiments
smell testscertification process
Formal qualification procedure
accreditation · standardized testing · legal review · stress testing
smell, test, smells, smelled, smelling, smelly, smellier, smelliest, tests