stunk to high heaven
Smelled extremely bad
Stunk to high heaven means smelled extremely bad, the stench so powerful it could reach the sky: The dumpster behind the restaurant stunk to high heaven.
Figuratively, it describes something obviously corrupt or suspicious: The whole deal stunk to high heaven from the start.
The phrase emphasizes intensity—ordinary bad smells merely stink; the worst ones reach heaven.
- reekingEmitting strong foul smell
- bad smellUnpleasant olfactory sensation
- smellyHaving foul odor
- foul-smellingEmitting unpleasant odors
- fetidHaving foul odor
stink bomb · noxious · disgusting · putrid · dead fish · scandal · corruption · dirty laundry · hypocrisy · dishonesty · malodorous · fraudulence · decaying · deceit · cover-up · fishy · foul play · stench
stunk to high heavenfragrant
Emitting pleasant smell
sweet-smelling · fresh as a daisy · perfumed · aromatic · ambrosial
stunk to high heavensqueaky clean
Completely pure or innocent
above board · on the level · pure as the driven snow · beyond reproach · transparent
stunk to high heavenpassable
Minimally sufficient quality
tolerable · unobjectionable · inoffensive · wonderful · excellent
stunk, stinks, stinking, stinky, stinkier, stinkiest, stinker, higher, highest