sniff out
Track by scent
To sniff out something is to discover it through investigation or intuition, like a dog following a scent: Reporters sniffed out the scandal before the official announcement.
The phrase suggests persistent, nose-to-the-ground searching that uncovers what's hidden: She has a talent for sniffing out bargains.
detect
Private investigator
- houndHunting dog breed
- trackPath or monitored route
- scentAirborne odor detected
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
nose · investigate · probe · ferret · search · snoop · surveillance · scrutinize
sleuth
Private investigator
uncover · nose · investigate · probe · ferret · search · snoop · surveillance · scrutinize · examine
- discoveryfind, finding, discovery, discover, uncovering
- investigatinginvestigate, examine, inspect, probe, search
- root outuproot, eradicate, root up, hunt down, track down
- catch oncatch on, realize, understand, cotton on, twig
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- pursuitchase, chasing, pursuit, chase down, pursue
intentionality of discovery
sniff outstumble upon
Find unexpectedly
stumble across · chance upon · happen upon · luck into · fall into