smelling the barn

Verb

smell the barn (third-person singular simple present smells the barn, present participle smelling the barn, simple past and past participle smelled the barn or smelt the barn)

1. (US, idiomatic, intransitive) To act with renewed energy or speed or to experience heightened anticipation as one approaches a destination, goal, or other desired outcome.
   • We’ll get home right quick—old Dobbin knows the way better than you and I do, and he can smell the barn besides.