{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
Slang English vocab. Английский сленговый словарь. 2012