come out/up smelling like a rose
phrase
informal
: to have success or good fortune in a situation in which one was likely to fail, be harmed, etc.
The scandal forced several board members to resign, but the chairman came out smelling like a rose.
Cite this Entry
“Come out/up smelling like a rose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come%20out%2Fup%20smelling%20like%20a%20rose. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
