smell like a tart's handbag: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  UKcolloquialpejorative
  • To emit a strong, cheap, or overly perfumed odor associated stereotypically with a prostitute's belongings; used as an insulting comment about someone's scent or perceived moral character.

  Examples

  Beta

  • When he entered the club, his cologne smelled like a tart's handbag, overpowering everyone nearby.

    When he entered the club, his cologne smelled like a tart's handbag, overpowering everyone nearby.

  • Some guests joked that her perfume smelled like a tart's handbag, too strong and cheap for the occasion.

    Some guests joked that her perfume smelled like a tart's handbag, too strong and cheap for the occasion.

  • The old shop smelled like a tart's handbag, with stale tobacco and overpowering scents filling the air.

    The old shop smelled like a tart's handbag, with stale tobacco and overpowering scents filling the air.

• 2.

  UKinformal
  • To smell of strongly perfumed or stale items (for example, perfume, tobacco, or damp leather) as if from a well-used handbag.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After rummaging through the vintage purse, I noticed it smelled like a tart's handbag, a mixture of cheap perfume and old leather.

    After rummaging through the vintage purse, I noticed it smelled like a tart's handbag, a mixture of cheap perfume and old leather.

  • Her belongings smelled like a tart's handbag, hinting at a long night out with too much perfume and smoke.

    Her belongings smelled like a tart's handbag, hinting at a long night out with too much perfume and smoke.

  • The air in the room smelled like a tart's handbag, stale and overly perfumed from the scattered accessories.

    The air in the room smelled like a tart's handbag, stale and overly perfumed from the scattered accessories.