sniff test
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English
[edit]Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (General Australian): (file)
Etymology 1
[edit]The figurative sense is a metaphorical extension from the literal sense.
Noun
[edit]sniff test (plural sniff tests)
- (idiomatic, figurative) An informal check of an idea or proposal, using one's common sense or sense of propriety.
- Synonyms: smell test, nose test
- Coordinate term: smoke test
- Near-synonyms: reality check, sanity check, sanity test
- but does it pass the sniff test?
- but it doesn't pass the sniff test
- (literal) An inspection of an object using the sense of smell, as for freshness of food or cleanliness of clothing.
- Synonyms: smell test, nose test
Etymology 2
[edit]Noun
[edit]sniff test (plural sniff tests)
- A fluoroscopic medical test during which the examinee is asked to "sniff" (quickly breathe in through the nose); diaphragm fluoroscopy.
- 1995, Charis Roussos, The Thorax: Disease, page 1771:
- The most reliable radiographic maneuver to detect paradoxical movement is the sniff test, consisting of rapidly repeated inspirations through the nostrils during fluoroscopy.