ichidan verb, transitive verb
distinguish by smell; smell the difference; scent out
Literal use of the sense of smell to tell things apart or detect something.
犬は麻薬を嗅ぎ分ける訓練を受けている。
The dog is trained to scent out drugs.
彼はワインの産地を嗅ぎ分
He can distinguish the origin of wines by smell.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Figurative extension: using intuition or keen perception to detect or judge something, like 'sniffing out' a lie or a person's true character.
記者はスキャンダルを嗅ぎ分けるのがうまい。
The journalist is good at sniffing out scandals.
彼は相手の嘘をすぐに嗅ぎ分ける。
He quickly discerns the other person's lies.