expression, godan verb (-ru)
flies gather around something smelly; bad people attract each other
Proverb meaning that undesirable people or things naturally gather together, just as flies are drawn to foul smells. Often used to comment on a group of unsavory characters.
あの連中が集まっているのは、まさに臭い物に蝿がたかるだ。
Those guys hanging out together is a perfect example of 'flies gather around something smelly'.
悪い仲間が自然と集まるのは、臭い物に蝿がたかるというものだ。
Bad company naturally gathers, just as the proverb says: flies are attracted to foul smells.