smell of blood

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiomfigurative

   A sign that an opponent is weak or in trouble, which encourages others to attack or press their advantage.

   Grammar: Often appears as 'catch the smell of blood' or 'sense blood'; the subject is the one about to attack.

   Patterns

   • catch the smell of blood
   • the smell of blood in something

   Once the reporters caught the smell of blood, they kept asking about the mistake.

   Rival firms picked up the smell of blood after the weak sales figures.

   The opposition leader sensed the smell of blood and called for a vote.

2. 2noununcountable

   The sharp, metallic odor given off by blood.

   Grammar: Literal use, not countable: the smell of blood filled the room.

   Patterns

   • the smell of blood on something

   The smell of blood made some visitors in the hospital feel faint.

   Sharks can detect the smell of blood from far away.

   The butcher no longer noticed the smell of blood in his shop.

Common combinations

catch the smell of blood

The press caught the smell of blood after his resignation.

sense the smell of blood

Investors sensed the smell of blood and sold their shares.

the smell of blood in the water

There was a smell of blood in the water for the whole team.

pick up the smell of blood

Rivals pick up the smell of blood very fast in this market.

Synonyms and how they differ

weakness

Weakness names the problem itself, while smell of blood describes how others notice it and move in.

vulnerability

Vulnerability is a neutral, formal word for being open to attack, without the predatory image.

opening

An opening is a chance to act, whereas smell of blood suggests an aggressive, hungry pursuit.

Opposites

Word family

smell verb

to notice by nose, or to sense something is wrong

bloody adjective

covered in blood

bloodthirsty adjective

eager for violence

bloodhound noun

a dog that tracks by scent

Commonly confused: smell of blood or smell blood?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “smell of blood”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words