English / proverb
He Who Smelt It Dealt It
MEANING IN ENGLISH
A humorous maxim stating that the person who first complains about an unpleasant reality or wrongdoing is the one who caused it.
In context
01
As soon as Danny complained about the burnt popcorn smell in the lounge, Mary shouted, 'He who smelt it dealt it!'
02
In boardroom politics, accusing rival departments of negligence often backfires because executives assume he who smelt it dealt it.
Synonyms
Deflecting blame,self-incriminating accusation,passing the buck
Antonyms
Valid whistleblowing,impartial audit,unblemished report
Collocations
Classic he who smelt it dealt it,shout he who smelt it dealt it,reply with he who smelt it dealt it