something fishy is going on
Meaning: Something suspicious is happening.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The shop has been closed for a week with the lights on; something fishy is going on.”
Category: Animals
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 idioms — Animals
- be full of beans — To be lively and full of energy.
- work oneself into a lather — To become very agitated, anxious or angry.
- like a bear with a sore head — In a very bad, irritable mood.
- prick up one's ears — To suddenly start listening closely.
- stir up a hornet's nest — To cause a lot of trouble or anger, often by provoking people.
- drunk as a skunk — Extremely drunk.
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.