Smell, stink, etc. to high heaven
idiom
Something that smells very badly, it can be used literally or metaphorically.
His socks smelled to high heaven after the match.
Often appears as...
- rubbish smells to high heaven
- the fridge stinks to high heaven
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
idiom
A situation or behavior that is very offensive or wrong.
The corruption in the company stinks to high heaven.
Often appears as...
- corruption stinks to high heaven
- dishonesty stinks to high heaven
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
idiom
Something that smells very badly, it can be used literally or metaphorically.
His socks smelled to high heaven after the match.
Often appears as...
- rubbish smells to high heaven
- the fridge stinks to high heaven
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
idiom
A situation or behavior that is very offensive or wrong.
The corruption in the company stinks to high heaven.
Often appears as...
- corruption stinks to high heaven
- dishonesty stinks to high heaven
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Meaning
Used for real smells. Often for humor or exaggeration about something smelly.
After the concert, the venue smelled to high heaven!
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
It suggests an extreme smell, but often it's an overstated expression.
He took off his boots and they smelled to high heaven.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Emphasis
Shows strong negative feelings about the smell.
The garbage was left outside, and it smelled to high heaven.
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