Come up smelling like a rose Meaning in English
expression
التعريف
If someone 'comes up smelling like a rose', they get through a difficult or controversial situation looking innocent or untarnished, even if they may have been involved in something questionable.
الاستخدام والفروق الدقيقة
This is an informal idiom, often used in business, politics, or gossip. Suggests luck, cleverness, or manipulation. Commonly implies others expected a negative result, but the person avoided blame. Not literal—no real connection to roses.
جمل نموذجية
Despite the scandal, she came up smelling like a rose.
basic
They made some mistakes but came up smelling like a rose in the end.
basic
He lied to everyone and still came up smelling like a rose.
basic
No matter what happens, he always comes up smelling like a rose.
natural
Everyone thought he'd get fired, but he came up smelling like a rose instead!
natural
Somehow the company came up smelling like a rose after the lawsuit.
natural