stink like a mackerel

English

Alternative forms

• stink like a mackerel in the sun
• stink like a mackerel in the moonlight

Verb

stink like a mackerel (third-person singular simple present stinks like a mackerel, present participle stinking like a mackerel, simple past stank like a mackerel, past participle stunk like a mackerel)

1. (simile) To reek; to smell terrible.
2. (simile, figuratively) To smell fishy, to stink to high heaven (to look extremely suspicious or unconvincing)
   • 1965, Fleet Owner - Volume 60, page 8:

     In summary, I think that the waterfront situation "stinks like a mackerel in the hot sunlight."

   • 1977, Bartholomew Gill, McGarr and the politician's wife: a mystery novel, page 57:

     In spite of the pipe he drew on so often that he seemed forever wrapped in a cloud of acrid blue smoke, Murphy stank like a mackerel.

   • 1998, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs, Investigation of illegal or improper activities in connection with the 1996 federal election campaign:

     Well, then it talks about Senator Durbin and Senator Susan Collins exposing the tax credit, as they termed, that "shines and stinks like a mackerel in the moonlight," to quote Time magazine, which would have offset industry costs and a now-ill-fated tobacco deal had brought it to the light of day.

   • 2006, John Sandford, Dead watch, page 149:

     lf some goof thought he was doing it on my behalf, the murder'll stink like a mackerel in the sunshine and screw up our lives forever.

   • 2010, David Crump, The Holding Company:

     That argument stinks like a mackerel in the moonlight!

   • 2012, Sharon Penman, Here Be Dragons:

     Because de Braose's name stinks like a mackerel in the sun; I'd have thought the foul smell sure to've reached even as far as Normandy.

See also

• stink like a polecat