English Explanatory Dictionary

stink to high heaven

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To have a very strong and unpleasant smell.
  2. Of a person or situation: to be highly ethically dubious; also, of a person: to be very incompetent.

Pronunciation

/ˈstɪŋk tə haɪ ˈhɛv(ə)n/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-stink to high heaven.wav

Word forms

stink to high heaven stinks to high heaven stinking to high heaven stank to high heaven stunk to high heaven

Etymology

A hyperbole suggesting that a smell is so strong it can even be detected from heaven.

Synonyms

reek funk honk hum niff pong smell stink stink to high heaven whiff
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