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I smell a rat


According to the Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins, written by Robert Hendrickson, the origins for this idiom are uncertain, however, he explains a theory behind it might possibly involve a cat being able to smell a rat nearby, despite not having sight of it.
(source)

The figurative use of this idiom is that something feels off - not quite right - but you can't quite put your finger on what it is.


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