come out smelling of roses

come out smelling of roses

To maintain a favorable reputation despite involvement in a scandalous or otherwise negative situation. By reporting his colleagues as soon as he learned of their dishonest business practices, the CEO came out smelling of roses.

See also: come, of, out, rose, smell

come up/out of something smelling of ˈroses

(informal) still have a good reputation, even though you have been involved in something that might have given people a bad opinion of you: Nobody ever knew the details and he came out of the deal smelling of roses.

See also: come, of, out, rose, smell, something, up