The phrase "stunk to high heaven" is commonly used to describe an overpowering and unpleasant odor. The word "stunk" is the past tense of "stink," which is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /stɪŋk/. The addition of the suffix "-ed" changes the pronunciation to /stʌŋk/. "To high heaven" is an idiomatic expression that emphasizes the severity of the odor. The phrase may have originated from the belief that foul smells rose up to heaven and needed to be purified.
"Stunk to high heaven" is an idiomatic expression that refers to an intense and unpleasant smell or odor. When something "stinks to high heaven," it means that the smell is exceptionally pungent, strong, and offensive. The phrase is often used to emphasize the severity of the odor and the discomfort or disgust it produces.
The term is figurative and does not necessarily involve a literal smell. It can also be used as a metaphorical expression to describe a situation, event, or action that is morally or ethically reprehensible, repulsive, or unacceptable. In this context, "stunk to high heaven" suggests that the situation or action causes a strong sense of moral indignation or outrage.
The phrase "stunk to high heaven" can be traced back to the early 17th century, with the term "stink" meaning to emit a foul odor and "high heaven" referring to the heavens or the highest point. The combination of these words emphasizes the intensity and pervasiveness of the smell, implying that it reaches all the way up to the heavens.
Overall, "stunk to high heaven" is a colorful expression that conveys a powerful sense of a noxious stench or a deeply offensive and morally repugnant situation or action.