IdiomAnimals
English
Englishsomething fishy is going on
Meaning: Something suspicious is happening.
Example: “The shop has been closed for a week with the lights on; something fishy is going on.”
Origin: "Fishy" in the sense of shady or suspicious is recorded from 1840. Fish that has gone off gives itself away by its smell.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Il y a anguille sous roche Literally: There is an eel under the rock
Swedish: Ana ugglor i mossen Literally: To suspect owls in the bog
Hindi: दाल में कुछ काला है (daal mein kuchh kaalaa hai) Literally: There is something black in the lentils
Malay: Ada udang di sebalik batu Literally: There's a shrimp behind the rock
More English idioms
- take French leave To leave without saying goodbye or asking permission.
- dress to the nines To dress very smartly or elaborately.
- with one hand tied behind one's back Very easily; or, when forced on someone, at a great disadvantage.
- have friends in high places To know influential people who can help one.
- get to the bottom of it To discover the real cause or truth of a matter.
- be taken for a ride To be cheated or deceived.
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
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