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Definition of sniff out phrasal verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sniff out

phrasal verb

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sniff somebody/something out

to discover or find somebody/something by using your sense of smell
- The dogs are trained to sniff out drugs.
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(informal) to discover or find somebody/something by looking or investigating
- Journalists are good at sniffing out a scandal.

See sniff out in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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