（比喻人趋炎附势、追求名利的龌龊行为） like ants seeking sth. ranksmelling -- a swarm of people running after unwholesome things [leaning on influential people for support]; like a myriad of ants swarming about a piece of meat that smells; like ants attaching themselves to what is rank and foul; like ants clinging on the putrid carcass -- where there is profit, all struggle for it.