not get a sniff of something

not get a sniff of (something)

1. To not get even the smallest inclination or amount of information about something. Make sure you don't let the boss get a sniff of what you're trying to do, or you'll get fired so fast your head will spin! A: "Detective Matheson, have you gotten any leads about this supposed drug deal going down tomorrow night?" B: "No, sir, I haven't gotten a sniff of anything happening tomorrow."

2. To not get even the smallest portion or sample of something desirable. Health insurance, a company phone, and a pension plan? Man, I didn't get a sniff of benefits like those when I was working for that company. He didn't patent the design, so when it went on to make millions of dollars, he didn't get a sniff of that money.

See also: get, not, of, sniff

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

not get a ˈsniff of something

(informal) not succeed in obtaining something: I worked in Hollywood for years, but I never got a sniff of the big money.

See also: get, not, of, sniff, something

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