reek of

reek of — idiom

1. When you say a situation, event, or action reeks of a bad quality — such as dish

1.慣用語B2
釋義

When you say a situation, event, or action reeks of a bad quality — such as dishonesty, unfairness, or hypocrisy — you mean that quality is very clearly present and noticeable to people.

例句

The mayor's sudden resignation reeked of a cover-up involving several top city officials.

collocation: reeked of + cover-up

To many voters, the new tax law reeked of unfairness toward families barely making ends meet.

subject: impersonal (to many voters)

同義詞
  • smack of

    Similar meaning but slightly weaker; often used with desperation, elitism, or complacency

  • suggest

    Neutral tone without the strong negative connotation of 'reek of'

  • breathe

    Formal or literary; used in phrases like 'breathes corruption'

反義詞
  • embody

    To be a perfect example of a quality — can be positive or neutral

  • exude

    To show a quality strongly; can be positive ('exudes confidence')

用法筆記

Subject is always an event, situation, or action — never a person used metaphorically. The noun that follows 'of' must denote a negative quality such as corruption, hypocrisy, unfairness, or dishonesty.

常見錯誤

❌His apology reeked of sincerity.
✅His apology reeked of insincerity.
💡'reek of' only pairs with negative qualities, never positive ones.