What Does โReek of sthโ Mean?
โReek of sthโ means to have a strong, unpleasant smell of something or to strongly suggest a particular quality or feeling, often negative.
Introduction
The phrasal verb โreek of sthโ is used both literally and figuratively in English. Literally, it describes a strong, bad smell coming from something. Figuratively, it means that something strongly suggests or shows a particular characteristic, often something bad like dishonesty or corruption. Understanding the โReek of sth meaningโ helps learners use it correctly in conversations and writing. This phrase is commonly used in everyday English to express suspicion or to describe unpleasant odors.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Reek of sth (reek of something)
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To smell strongly of something or to strongly suggest a particular quality
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โReek of sthโ is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate โreekโ and โofโ in sentences. The structure always follows:
- Subject + reek(s) + of + noun/pronoun
Examples:
- The room reeks of smoke.
- His explanation reeks of dishonesty.
How to Use Reek of sth?
Use โreek of sthโ when you want to describe a strong bad smell or to suggest that something clearly shows a particular negative quality. It is often used in formal and informal contexts to express suspicion or criticism.
Remember, โsthโ stands for โsomethingโ and is replaced by the specific noun you want to mention, such as โcorruption,โ โsmoke,โ or โfear.โ
Examples
Imagine entering a kitchen after someone has been cooking fish all day. You might say:
- The kitchen reeks of fish.
Here are more examples of โReek of sth in a sentenceโ:
- The abandoned house reeks of damp and mold.
- His argument reeks of hypocrisy.
- The office reeks of corruption and greed.
- That excuse reeks of lies.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse โreek of sthโ with โsmell of sth,โ but โreekโ always implies a strong, unpleasant smell or a strong suggestion of something bad.
Incorrect: The room reeks smoke.
Correct: The room reeks of smoke.
Incorrect: His story reeks lies.
Correct: His story reeks of lies.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include โsmell of sthโ and โstink of sth.โ โSmell ofโ is neutral and can be good or bad. โStink ofโ and โreek ofโ usually mean a strong bad smell or a strong bad suggestion.
Example:
- The kitchen smells of garlic. (neutral)
- The kitchen stinks of garlic. (unpleasant)
- The kitchen reeks of garlic. (very strong and unpleasant)
Use โreek ofโ mostly when emphasizing a strong negative sense.
Common Collocations
โReek ofโ often pairs with nouns that indicate smells or negative qualities. Here are common collocations with their meanings:
- Reek of smoke โ strong smell of smoke
- Reek of corruption โ strong suggestion of dishonest behavior
- Reek of fear โ obvious signs of fear
- Reek of failure โ clear evidence of failure
- Reek of alcohol โ strong smell of alcohol
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โreek of sthโ:
Anna: The meeting felt strange today.
John: Yeah, it really reeks of dishonesty. I donโt trust what they said.
Anna: Me neither. Something is definitely wrong.
Practice
Complete the sentences with the correct form of โreek ofโ:
- The old basement _______ of mold and dampness.
- Her excuse _______ of lies and confusion.
- The air _______ of smoke after the fire.
- The report _______ of bias and unfairness.
FAQ
- Q: Can โreek ofโ be used in positive situations?
A: No, โreek ofโ usually describes strong bad smells or negative qualities. - Q: Is โreek ofโ separable?
A: No, โreekโ and โofโ must stay together. - Q: What level of English is โreek ofโ suitable for?
A: It is suitable for intermediate to advanced learners (B2 level). - Q: Can I use โreek ofโ to describe emotions?
A: Yes, figuratively it can describe feelings like fear or dishonesty. - Q: What is the difference between โreek ofโ and โsmell ofโ?
A: โSmell ofโ can be positive or neutral, but โreek ofโ is always strong and often negative.
