嗅かぎつける

ichidan verb, transitive verb

sniff out; get wind of

Used both literally for animals detecting a scent and figuratively for people sensing hidden information or secrets.

• 警けい察さつ犬けんが麻ま薬やくを嗅かぎつけた。

  The police dog sniffed out the drugs.

• 彼かれはすぐに秘ひ密みつを嗅かぎつける