stink like a mackerel

English

Verb

stink like a mackerel (third-person singular simple present stinks like a mackerel, present participle stinking like a mackerel, simple past stank like a mackerel, past participle stunk like a mackerel)

To reek; To smell terrible.
- 1965, Fleet Owner - Volume 60, page 8:
  In summary, I think that the waterfront situation "stinks like a mackerel in the hot sunlight."
- 1977, Bartholomew Gill, McGarr and the politician's wife: a mystery novel, page 57:
  In spite of the pipe he drew on so often that he seemed forever wrapped in a cloud of acrid blue smoke, Murphy stank like a mackerel.
- 1998, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs, Investigation of illegal or improper activities in connection with the 1996 federal election campaign:
  Well, then it talks about Senator Durbin and Senator Susan Collins exposing the tax credit, as they termed, that "shines and stinks like a mackerel in the moonlight," to quote Time magazine, which would have offset industry costs and a now-ill-fated tobacco deal had brought it to the light of day.
- 2006, John Sandford, Dead watch, page 149:
  lf some goof thought he was doing it on my behalf, the murder'll stink like a mackerel in the sunshine and screw up our lives forever.
- 2010, David Crump, The Holding Company:
  That argument stinks like a mackerel in the moonlight!
- 2012, Sharon Penman, Here Be Dragons:
  Because de Braose's name stinks like a mackerel in the sun; I'd have thought the foul smell sure to've reached even as far as Normandy.

Usage notes

While sometimes used to refer to strong odors, this phrase is used more often metaphorically, to refer to something that is extremely suspicious or unconvincing.

The phrase "in the sun" or "in the moonlight" is often added as an intensifier.

单词	stink like a mackerel
释义	stink like a mackerel English Verb stink like a mackerel (third-person singular simple present stinks like a mackerel, present participle stinking like a mackerel, simple past stank like a mackerel, past participle stunk like a mackerel) To reek; To smell terrible. 1965, Fleet Owner - Volume 60, page 8: In summary, I think that the waterfront situation "stinks like a mackerel in the hot sunlight." 1977, Bartholomew Gill, McGarr and the politician's wife: a mystery novel, page 57: In spite of the pipe he drew on so often that he seemed forever wrapped in a cloud of acrid blue smoke, Murphy stank like a mackerel. 1998, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs, Investigation of illegal or improper activities in connection with the 1996 federal election campaign: Well, then it talks about Senator Durbin and Senator Susan Collins exposing the tax credit, as they termed, that "shines and stinks like a mackerel in the moonlight," to quote Time magazine, which would have offset industry costs and a now-ill-fated tobacco deal had brought it to the light of day. 2006, John Sandford, Dead watch, page 149: lf some goof thought he was doing it on my behalf, the murder'll stink like a mackerel in the sunshine and screw up our lives forever. 2010, David Crump, The Holding Company: That argument stinks like a mackerel in the moonlight! 2012, Sharon Penman, Here Be Dragons: Because de Braose's name stinks like a mackerel in the sun; I'd have thought the foul smell sure to've reached even as far as Normandy. Usage notes While sometimes used to refer to strong odors, this phrase is used more often metaphorically, to refer to something that is extremely suspicious or unconvincing. The phrase "in the sun" or "in the moonlight" is often added as an intensifier.
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