1 [count] : a flower with a sweet smell that is usually white, yellow, red, or pink and that grows on a bush which has thorns on the stems
▪ a bouquet of roses ▪ He sent a dozen red roses to his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. — see color picture; see also bed of roses 2 [noncount] : a slightly purplish-pink color — see color picture
▪ a bouquet of roses ▪ He sent a dozen red roses to his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. — see color picture; see also bed of roses
come out/up smelling like a rose or come out/up smelling like/of roses
informal : to have success or good fortune in a situation in which you were likely to fail, be harmed, etc.
▪ The scandal forced several board members to resign, but the chairman came out smelling like a rose. [=the chairman's reputation was not damaged at all]
▪ The scandal forced several board members to resign, but the chairman came out smelling like a rose. [=the chairman's reputation was not damaged at all]
coming up roses
informal : turning out to be good
▪ Now that he finally has a job, everything's coming up roses for him. [=many good things are happening in his life]
▪ Now that he finally has a job, everything's coming up roses for him. [=many good things are happening in his life]
(stop and) smell the roses
informal : to stop being busy and enjoy the pleasant things in life
▪ You shouldn't work so hard. You need to take some time to stop and smell the roses.
▪ You shouldn't work so hard. You need to take some time to stop and smell the roses.
wake up and smell the roses — see 1wake




