嗅かぎ取とる

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

smell; sniff out

Literal sense: to detect or identify a smell by actively sniffing. Often used for animals or people deliberately smelling something.

• 犬いぬが地じ面めんのにおいを嗅かぎ取とっている。

  The dog is sniffing out the scent on the ground.

• 彼かれはワインの香かおりを嗅かぎ取とって、産さん地ちを当あてた。

  He smelled the aroma of the wine and guessed its origin.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

sense; detect; sniff out (figurative)

Figurative extension: to intuitively sense or detect something hidden, such as a secret, danger, or someone's feelings, as if by smell.

• 彼かの女じょはすぐに危き険けんを嗅かぎ取とった。

  She immediately sensed the danger.

• 記き者しゃはスキャンダルのにおいを嗅かぎ取とった。

  The reporter sniffed out the scent of a scandal.