draw up air audibly through the nose to detect a smell, to stop it running, or to express contempt
（出声地）吸气嗅，吸鼻子；嗤笑
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his dog sniffed at my trousers 他的狗嗅了嗅我的裤子
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[with direct speech]
‘You're behaving in an unladylike fashion, ’ sniffed Mother. “你的行为不像淑女，”母亲嗤笑道。
[with obj.]draw in (a scent, substance, or air) through the nose
用鼻子吸（气味，东西，空气）。
[usu. with negative](
嗤之以鼻，蔑视
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the price is not to be sniffed at. 价格很是不菲。
(
〈非 正式〉 暗中侦察（试图发现有关某人秘密或有牵连的信息）。
[with obj.](
〈非正式〉 调查到
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he made millions sniffing out tax loopholes for companies. 他通过发现税则漏洞帮公司赚了几百万。
an act or sound of drawing air through the nose
吸气
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he gave a sniff of disapproval. 他嗤了一声，表示不同意。
an amount of air or other substance taken up in such a way
吸入的空气（或其他物质）
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his drug use was confined to a sniff of amyl nitrite .他用药只限于小小一嗅亚硝酸戊脂。
[in sing.]
〈非正式〉 线索，迹象
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they're off at the first sniff of trouble. 他们一嗅到有麻烦就跑了。
[in sing.]
〈非正式〉 一线希望
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the Olympic hosts will at least get a sniff at a medal .奥运会东道主至少会有一丝希望拿到一块奖牌。
" Middle English： imitative."
