scent out

present singular third person scents out · participle present scenting out · participle past scented out · past scented out

1. transitiveTo locate by following a scent.

   'Be careful what you do,' rejoined another man's voice that I did not know, 'lest someone see you digging, and scent us out.'

   [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC

   1 more example

   To be plain, I much question whether the politician, who hath generally a good nose, hath not scented out somewhat of the utility of this practice.

   1749, Henry Fielding, chapter I, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book IV

   Synonyms: sniff out