sniff test

1. The act of questioning the viability of an idea or course of action. Josh thinks he has a solid plan, but it doesn't pass the sniff test for me—I don't see how it will be profitable.

2. In medicine, a test of the phrenic nerve in which the patient must sniff forcefully. Next, we're going to do a sniff test so that I can see exactly how your phrenic nerve is functioning.

3. In medicine, a way to recognize bacterial vaginosis (which presents with a fishlike odor). I've only done a sniff test so far, but I think that patient has bacterial vaginosis.

4. The act of smelling something to determine whether or not it has a fresh odor. These leftovers pass the sniff test, so I'll heat them up for lunch. You can't wear that shirt again without washing it—it definitely doesn't pass the sniff test!

See also: sniff, test

See also:

References in periodicals archive

Smooth test 4.5/5 Sniff test 3/5 PROS The spray is great for freshening up clothes during the day or if you're going out later in the evening.

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The scratch - and - sniff test asks subjects to identify 40 odors and ranks olfaction as a normal or mildly, moderately, or severely impaired.

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"Well, I think Barton has aspirations to manage himself and I suspect there will be a challenge for him when he is looking to enforce discipline and culture in his players because I don't think he passed the sniff test on that himself.

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"You may want to do the classic sniff test to see if it's past its best".

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Her CXR showed right hemidiaphragm elevation that was confirmed with a sniff test (Figure 1).

Symptomatic Patent Foramen Ovale with Hemidiaphragm Paralysis

Does the kennel pass the sniff test? All kennels have a distinct odor, and that odor is strongly dog-like.

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But the diet the Democrat devised earlier this month via federal legislation doesn't pass the refuse industry's sniff test.

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(3) Irus Braverman, Passing the Sniff Test: Police Dogs as Surveillance Technology, 61 BUFF.

To sniff or not to sniff: making sense of past and recent state and federal decisions in connection with drug-detection dogs - where do we go from here?

The sensor picked up the smell of decay from room-temperature meats, though refrigerated meat passed the sniff test even after four days.

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Will highly successful not-for-profit health care businesses meet the sniff test? Will there be pushback when executive compensation is highlighted and "excess revenue over expenses" continues to increase because bad debt created by uncompensated care is eliminated?

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Sniff test. A musty, moldy smell in the interior or trunk could indicate water damage.

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"As you're evaluating what you want to do, make sure it passes the sniff test of common sense.

Making change: why a corporate retreat, by itself, won't fix a broken team