Which is the meaning of the idiom – ‘smell a rat’?

The idiom “smell a rat” means to suspect something is wrong or to have a feeling that something is not quite as it seems. It is often used when someone senses that there is deception, trickery, or dishonesty involved in a situation, even if there is no clear proof. The origin of this idiom is thought to be related to the idea that rats are sneaky and cause trouble, so if you "smell a rat," it means you are noticing signs of something suspicious. For example, if someone offers you a deal that seems too good to be true, you might say, “I smell a rat,” indicating that you suspect the offer may be dishonest or fraudulent. This idiom is often used when people intuitively feel that something is off but cannot fully explain why. The ability to “smell a rat” relies on one’s instincts or experience, as it involves recognizing potential dishonesty or hidden motives before they are fully revealed.