7 PHRASE If something goes up in smoke , it is destroyed by fire. □ More than 900 years of British history went up in smoke in the Great Fire of Windsor.
8 PHRASE If something that is very important to you goes up in smoke , it fails or ends without anything being achieved. □ Their dreams went up in smoke after the collapse of their travel agency.
▸ smoke out PHRASAL VERB If you smoke out someone who is hiding, you discover them and make them publicly known. □ [V n P ] The committee have tried dozens of different ways to smoke him out. □ [V P n] …technology to smoke out tax evaders.
smo ke alarm (smoke alarms ) also smoke detector N‑COUNT A smoke alarm or a smoke detector is a device fixed to the ceiling of a room which makes a loud noise if there is smoke in the air, to warn people.
smo ke bomb (smoke bombs ) N‑COUNT A smoke bomb is a bomb that produces clouds of smoke when it explodes.
smoked /smoʊ kt/
1 ADJ Smoked glass has been made darker by being treated with smoke. □ …a white van with smoked-glass windows.
2 → see also smoke
smo ked sa lm|on N‑UNCOUNT Smoked salmon is the flesh of a salmon which is smoked and eaten raw.
smo ke-filled roo m (smoke-filled rooms ) N‑COUNT If you talk about a decision being made in a smoke-filled room , you mean that it is made by a small group of people in a private meeting, rather than in a more democratic or open way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …long discussions in smoke-filled rooms.
smoke|less /smoʊ kləs/ ADJ Smokeless fuel burns without producing smoke.
smoke|screen /smoʊ kskriːn/ (smokescreens ) also smoke screen N‑COUNT If something that you do or say is a smokescreen , it is intended to hide the truth about your activities or intentions. □ He was accused of putting up a smokescreen to hide poor standards in schools.
smo ke sig|nal (smoke signals ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If someone such as a politician or businessman sends out smoke signals , they give an indication of their views and intentions. This indication is often not clear and needs to be worked out. □ [+ from ] The smoke signals from the central bank suggest further cuts are coming.
smoke|stack /smoʊ kstæk/ (smokestacks ) N‑COUNT A smokestack is a very tall chimney that carries smoke away from a factory.
smo ke|stack in|dus|try (smokestack industries ) N‑COUNT A smokestack industry is a traditional industry such as heavy engineering or manufacturing, rather than a modern industry such as electronics. □ There has been a shift from smokestack industries into high-tech ones.
smok|ing ◆◇◇ /smoʊ k I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Smoking is the act or habit of smoking cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe. □ Smoking is now banned in many places of work. □ …a no-smoking area.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A smoking area is intended for people who want to smoke. □ …the decision to scrap smoking compartments on trains.
3 → see also smoke , passive smoking
smo k|ing gu n (smoking guns ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A smoking gun is a piece of evidence that proves that something is true or that someone is responsible for a crime. [mainly AM , JOURNALISM ] □ The search for other kinds of evidence tying him to trafficking has not produced a smoking gun.
smoky /smoʊ ki/ (smokier , smokiest ) also smokey
1 ADJ A place that is smoky has a lot of smoke in the air. □ His main problem was the extremely smoky atmosphere at work.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use smoky to describe something that looks like smoke, for example because it is slightly blue or grey or because it is not clear. □ At the center of the dial is a piece of smoky glass.
3 ADJ Something that has a smoky flavour tastes as if it has been smoked. □ Cooking with the lid on gives the food that distinctive smoky flavour.
smol|der /smoʊ ldə r / → see smoulder
smooch /smuː tʃ/ (smooches , smooching , smooched ) VERB If two people smooch , they kiss and hold each other closely. People sometimes smooch while they are dancing. □ [V + with ] I smooched with him on the dance floor. □ [V ] The customers smooch and chat.
smooth ◆◇◇ /smuː ð/ (smoother , smoothest , smooths , smoothing , smoothed )
1 ADJ A smooth surface has no roughness, lumps, or holes. □ …a rich cream that keeps skin soft and smooth. □ …a smooth surface such as glass. □ The flagstones beneath their feet were worn smooth by centuries of use.
2 ADJ A smooth liquid or mixture has been mixed well so that it has no lumps. □ Continue whisking until the mixture looks smooth and creamy.
3 ADJ If you describe a drink such as wine, whisky, or coffee as smooth , you mean that it is not bitter and is pleasant to drink. □ This makes the coffee much smoother.
4 ADJ A smooth line or movement has no sudden breaks or changes in direction or speed. □ This exercise is done in one smooth motion. ● smooth|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Make sure that you execute all movements smoothly and without jerking.
5 ADJ A smooth ride, flight, or sea crossing is very comfortable because there are no unpleasant movements. □ The active suspension system gives the car a very smooth ride.
6 ADJ You use smooth to describe something that is going well and is free of problems or trouble. □ Political hopes for a swift and smooth transition to democracy have been dashed. ● smooth|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ So far, talks at GM have gone smoothly.