stink to high heaven
Meaning: To smell terrible; also, to seem very dishonest.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The fridge stank to high heaven after the power cut.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: A smell so strong it rises all the way to the heavens. The phrase is common from the 20th century; Hamlet's "it smells to heaven" is an older relative.
Equivalents in other languages
- Dutch: een uur in de wind stinken — literally: to stink an hour in the wind
More idioms — Body & Senses
- dig one's heels in — To refuse stubbornly to change one's mind.
- the scales fall from one's eyes — To suddenly see the truth after being deceived.
- feet of clay — A hidden weakness in someone or something admired.
- get to grips with something — To start dealing seriously with a problem.
- get one's hands on something — To obtain something, often with difficulty.
- have one's head screwed on — To be sensible and practical.
More English idioms
- the truth will out — The truth cannot stay hidden forever.
- on a silver platter — Given to someone without any effort on their part.
- above board — Honest and open, with nothing hidden.
- stake a claim — To declare that something is yours, or that you have a right to it.
- raze to the ground — To destroy a building or town completely.
- the law of the jungle — A situation where the strongest or most ruthless win.