mid-14c., of imitative origin; possibly related to snyvelen (see snivel). As an expression of scorn or contempt from 1729. As a synonym for smell (v.) it dates from 1845. In reference to cocaine from 1925. Related: Sniffed; sniffing.
sniff (n.)
1767, from sniff (v.); the scornful sense is from 1859.
双语例句
1. Have the Press got a sniff yet?
新闻界嗅到了一点消息没有？
来自柯林斯例句
2. Take a sniff at everything and distinguish the good from the bad.
对任何东西都要用鼻子嗅一嗅,鉴别其好坏.
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
3. Have a sniff of this medicine — It'smells revolting, doesn't it?
闻一下这种药——它有一种令人作呕的味道, 对 吗 ?
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. But really, what harm could it possibly do to pop down there and just sniff around?
不过说真的，马上赶到那里去打探一下情况会有什么坏处呢？
来自柯林斯例句
5. Highbrow critics sniff that the programme was "too sophisticated" to appeal to most viewers.
