smell like..., v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

smell like... v.

SE in slang uses

In phrases

...a badger’s touch-hole [touch-hole n. (1)]

to smell very unpleasant.

1984

Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 1096/1: smell like a badger’s touch-(h)ole Emit an offensive odour, either naturally or, more usu., because heavily and artificially scented [...] since early 20C.

...a ram-goat

(W.I.) to smell disgusting, esp. after one has passed out drunk and urinated down one’s legs.

[1951

(con. 1912) in Randolph & Legman Ozark Folksongs and Folklore (1992) II 698: But a nigger gals smells / Like a damned billy-goat].

...a rose (also …roses)

(US) to appear pure and innocent.

1972		(con. 1916) G. Swarthout Tin Lizzie Troop (1978) 190: This is a chance for us to pull out of a manure pile smelling like roses.
2003		RK on World Socialist Web Site 13 Oct. 🌐 Because 95 percent of US politicians are flagrant criminals, and by comparison to them, the Kuciniches smell like a rose!

...a whore’s garret

to smell strongly of cheap perfume, as applicable to a man or a place as to a woman.

1984

Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 1096/1: smell like a whore’s boudoir or garret or handbag To be heavily scented C.20.

...something crawled up your arse and died there

(Aus./NZ) to smell terrible.

2003

McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. 193: smell like something crawled up your arse and died there You stink.

...the back end of a brewery horse

(Aus./NZ) to smell terrible.

2003

McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. 193: smell like the back end of a brewery horse Very smelly ANZ smeller Objectionable person Late C19.