What does the phrase stinks to high heaven mean?

Be of very poor quality; also, be suspect or in bad repute. For example, This plan of yours stinks to high heaven, or His financial schemes smell to high heaven; I’m sure they’re dishonest. This expression alludes to something so rank that it can be smelled from a great distance. [

What stink to high heaven?

“High heaven” simply means “the sky”. Something that stinks to high heaven has not merely a local stench but a reek powerful enough to rise into the sky. The phrase is properly used to characterize enormously corrupt practices; or, with exaggerated indignation, it’s applied to lesser offenses.

What is the origin of the word stink?

Old English stenc “a smell, odor, scent, fragrance” (either pleasant or unpleasant), from Proto-Germanic *stankwiz (source also of Old Saxon stanc, Old High German stanch, German. Related to stincan “emit a smell” (see stink (v.)) as drench is to drink.

What does high heaven mean?

Definition of to high heaven : very much, very badly, etc. The kids were laughing and screaming to high heaven. This whole situation stinks to high heaven.

What does have a stink mean?

Also, raise a stink. Create a great fuss; complain, criticize, or otherwise make trouble about something. For example, They promised to fix the printer today; you needn’t make a stink about it, or The parents were raising a stink about the principal’s new rules.

Who invented the word stinky?

Stench dates to the dawn of the 13th century and derives from Proto-Germanic, *stankwiz, and is related to the Old High German stanch, as well as the Old Saxon, stanc. Fetid was a child of the Latin word fetidus, and dates back to the early 15th century, as does its cousin (now in disuse), fetor.

Is stinking a swear word?

Frequently Asked Questions About stinking Some common synonyms of stinking are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and rank. While all these words mean “bad-smelling,” stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

Whats stink mean in slang?

Stink is defined as to give off a bad smell, or is slang meaning to be low quality. The definition of a stink is a nasty smell, or is slang for a public outrage.

What does pee-yoo mean?

[ poo, pyoo, pee-yoo ] SHOW IPA. / pu, pyu, ˈpiˈyu / PHONETIC RESPELLING. 📓 High School Level. interjection. (used as an exclamation of disgust, as at an offensive odor.)

What is the meaning of stinking to high heaven?

To be or seem extremely disreputable, suspicious, or corrupt. This deal between the company and the mayor’s office stinks to high heaven, if you ask me. This town stank to high heaven before I came in and brought some law and order to it. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

What is the earliest known source that uses the idiom “stink/smell to high heaven”?

What is the earliest known source that uses the idiom, “Stink/Smell to high heaven”? It smells to heaven. Spoken by King Claudius. The entire line is “O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven. It hath the primal eldest curse upon it. A brother’s murder.”

Why is it called High Heavens?

High Heavens is situated at ‘end of the line’ when the new railroad was finally completed so someone commenting on the stench from the Tanners yards in West London at the time might well have coined the expression “to High Heavens,” the town, rather than the ethereal realm.

Does the Hideaway bar stink to high heaven?

Admittedly, they do need some new ones, the corridor from the main entrance to the Hideaway Bar does stink to high heaven where they are – but come on, it must be the track that foots the bill out of its own profits, not the industry. “But take a long, hot bath in the morning to wash the smell away, or you’ll stink to high heaven !”