smell a rat meaning in Hindi

smell a rat in SSC previous-year questions

1. SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 Idioms & Phrases

   Choose the correct meaning of the given idiom/phrase from the options:
   "Smell a rat"

   ATo be very cleanBTo suspect somethingCTo follow ordersDTo be afraid
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: B) To suspect something

   The idiom 'Smell a rat' means to suspect that something is wrong or that someone is being dishonest.
   Option 2 (To suspect something) is correct as it conveys the exact meaning of the idiom.
   Option 1 (To be very clean) is wrong as it has no connection with the idiomatic meaning.
   Option 3 (To follow orders) is wrong because it is unrelated to suspicion.
   Option 4 (To be afraid) is wrong as fear is not the central meaning of this idiom.

2. SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   What does the idiom ‘To smell a rat’ mean?

   ATo sense dangerBTo detect a lieCTo suspect foul playDTo avoid responsibility
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: C) To suspect foul play

   Meaning: to smell a rat = to suspect foul play, to sense that something dishonest or a trick is going on *(दाल में कुछ काला होना, गड़बड़ का शक होना)*.
   The key word is *suspect* — the speaker has no proof, only a strong feeling that a deception is afoot.
   Example: *When the agent asked for the full fee in cash before showing the flat, I smelt a rat.*
   Origin.
   A cat or dog smells a hidden rat before anyone sees it — the picture is of sniffing out concealed mischief.
   Why the others are wrong.
   • to sense danger *(खतरे का आभास होना)* — danger is physical harm; the idiom is about *dishonesty*, not peril. This is the trap most candidates fell into.
   • to detect a lie *(झूठ पकड़ना)* — *detect* means to

3. SSC CPO 2022 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   Select the most appropriate idiom for the sentence given below.
   The detective suspected Shyam because of his odd behaviour while investing in the scam.

   ATo hang fireBTo smell a ratCA dog in the mangerDTo bite the dust
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: B) To smell a rat

   Answer: 2
   Solution (Correct Option – 2: To smell a rat):
   The idiom “to smell a rat” means to suspect that something is wrong or someone is dishonest.
   In the sentence, the detective finds Shyam’s behaviour odd and suspects him, which matches perfectly with the meaning of the idiom.
   Example: When I saw the torn envelope, I smelled a rat.
   Why other options are incorrect:
   To hang fire – Means to delay taking action (कार्रवाई में देरी करना), not about suspicion.
   A dog in the manger – Means someone who keeps something they don’t need just so others can’t use it (स्वार्थी व्यक्ति), unrelated here.
   To bite the dust – Means to fail or die (असफल होना या मर जाना), doesn't match the context of suspicion

4. SSC CGL 2022 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
   To smell a rat

   ATo know the smell of a ratBTo learn the smell of a ratCTo have reason to suspectDTo have reason to know the presence of a rat
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: C) To have reason to suspect

   Correct Answer: To have reason to suspect
   Explanation:
   The idiom “to smell a rat” means to suspect that something is wrong or dishonest (शक करना कि कुछ गड़बड़ है). It does not refer to literally detecting a rat’s scent.
   • suspect means to believe something may be true, especially something bad (शक करना).
   Other options are incorrect because they treat the phrase literally rather than idiomatically.

Examples

• “When the accounts didn't match, the auditor began to smell a rat.”

smell a rat – questions

What is the meaning of smell a rat in Hindi?

smell a rat means “किसी बात पर शक होना” in Hindi. In English: To suspect that something is wrong or dishonest is happening.

What are the synonyms of smell a rat?

Synonyms of smell a rat: become suspicious, sense foul play, suspect trickery.

Has smell a rat been asked in SSC exams?

Yes – smell a rat has been asked 5 times in SSC exams: SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025, SSC CPO 2022 T-1, SSC CGL 2022 T-1, SSC MTS 2021.

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