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3. smoke out of

smoke out of

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smoke (someone, something, or an animal) out of something

 and smoke someone, something, or an animal out 

1. Lit. to force someone, something, or an animal out of something or a place, using smoke. The police used tear gas to smoke the kidnappers out of the house. They smoked out the crooks.

2. Fig. to drive someone or something out into public view, as if using smoke or something similar. What will it take to smoke these crooks out of government? We will smoke out the corrupt officials yet.

See also: of, out, smoke