v. phr. To escape from a difficult situation or misdeed unscathed or without punishment. A is predicted that Congressman Brown, in spite of the current investigation into his financial affairs, will come up smelling like a rose at the end.
COME UP SMELLING LIKE A ROSE
Meaning of COME UP SMELLING LIKE A ROSE in English
American idioms English vocabulary. Английский словарь американских идиом. 2012