get a whiff of (something)

1. Literally, to detect a faint odor or scent. Yuck, I just got a whiff of dog poop. Did anyone step in any on the way home? I think I'm getting a whiff of garlic from the broth—is that correct? Thanks to that nice breeze, I got a whiff of the flowers from my neighbor's garden.

2. To smell something briefly. I want to get a whiff of that soup he's making to see if it's as spicy as last time. Hey, get a whiff of this milk and tell me if you think it's gone bad. I got a whiff of his cologne, and, whew, is it ever strong!

3. To receive an extremely small portion or sample of something desirable. Health insurance, a company phone, and a pension plan? Man, I didn't get a whiff of benefits like those when I was working for the company. He didn't patent the design, so he won't get a whiff of the money they're making on it. I left that job because I didn't get a whiff of a raise in five years.

4. To receive a very small amount of information, especially just enough to give someone an indication or inkling of something. Make sure you don't let the boss get a whiff of what you're trying to do, or you'll get fired so fast your head will spin! Detective Matheson says he's gotten a whiff of something going down at the docks tomorrow night. Sounds like it could be a major drug deal. If you keep acting weird like that, Mom will get a whiff of our plans to sneak out and go to the party.