godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Literal sense: to detect or identify a smell by actively sniffing. Often used for animals or people deliberately smelling something.
犬が地面のにおいを嗅ぎ取っている。
The dog is sniffing out the scent on the ground.
彼はワインの香り
He smelled the aroma of the wine and guessed its origin.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
sense; detect; sniff out (figurative)
Figurative extension: to intuitively sense or detect something hidden, such as a secret, danger, or someone's feelings, as if by smell.
彼女はすぐに危険を嗅ぎ取った。
She immediately sensed the danger.
記者はスキャンダルのにおいを嗅ぎ取った。
The reporter sniffed out the scent of a scandal.