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Glite Dictionary
in good odor

in good odor

9.7
A person or group that people respect and trust
  • idiom
  • Archaic
translation icon : bien visto
  • The charity organization is in good odor with the community.

Examples

  • The company stayed in good odor by consistently engaging in fair business practices.

  • Wanting to remain in good odor, he volunteered for extra work.

  • After the investigation, the manager was once again in good odor with the board.

  • After years of hard work, she is now in good odor at the company.

  • The scientist's innovative research put her in good odor among her peers.

  • After years of dedicated service, the employee was in good odor with the management.

  • His efforts to help the community ensured he remained in good odor with the locals.

Synonyms

esteemed
vsin good odor
  • Formal
54 4.6

A person or thing that many people respect and admire

means being respected or approved but with less intensity
well-thought-of
vsin good odor
1 4.5

Liked and respected by many people

includes approval and can be less about strong admiration

Antonyms

disreputable
9 7.1

Not trusted or respected because of bad behavior

in bad odor
  • Archaic
9.3

Not liked or trusted by other people after doing something wrong

How Respected

in good odor
  • Archaic
9.7
unpopular
121 2.1

Surface Forms

in good odor main

Morphology

in + good + odor

The phrase maps metaphorically from literal 'odor' (smell) to social standing (a ‘good smell’ = good reputation), so there is a partial semantic link to the constituents. However this usage is somewhat archaic and idiomatic in modern English, and the figurative step from 'good smell' to 'being regarded with approval' is not fully predictable for a B1 learner who only knows the basic word meanings. Therefore it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

In good odor may come from the simple idea of a pleasant smell: things with a nice odor attract people and give a good impression. So to be in good odor came to mean 'having a good reputation' or 'being liked'.