follow nose

follow one's nose 

1. Lit. to go straight ahead, the direction that one's nose is pointing. The town that you want is straight ahead on this highway. Just follow your nose. The chief's office is right around the corner. Turn left and follow your nose.

2. Fig. to follow an odor to its source. The kitchen is at the back of the building. Just follow your nose. There was a bad smell in the basement—probably a dead mouse. I followed my nose until I found it.

See also: follow, nose

---

follow your nose 

1. to make decisions by thinking of how you feel about someone or something instead of finding out information about them As far as recruitment is concerned, I tend to follow my nose. I meet someone for an informal interview and see if I like them.

2. (informal) if someone tells you to follow your nose when they are explaining how to go to a place, they are telling you to continue in the same direction Take the first on your right and follow your nose.

See also: follow, nose

---

follow your nose

1. to move forward I followed my nose down the narrow streets toward where I remembered seeing a metro station.

2. to move in the direction of something you smell I tried hiding that shoe in the closet, but my dog followed her nose right to it.

See also: follow, nose