wake up and smell the ashes

English

Verb

wake up and smell the ashes (third-person singular simple present wakes up and smells the ashes, present participle waking up and smelling the ashes, simple past woke up and smelled the ashes or woke up and smelt the ashes, past participle woken up and smelled the ashes or woken up and smelt the ashes)

1. (rare) Synonym of wake up and smell the coffee
   • 1995, The Living Church - Volume 210, page 19:

     It's time to wake up and smell the ashes. It is time to start constructing a new vision of ministry for all Christians, lay and ordained.

   • 2005, David S. J. Hodgson, Half-Life 2: Prima Official Game Guide, page 2:

     The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So, wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes.