1
general::
Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs