Smell about right for garbage (5)
I believe the answer is:
hokum
'garbage' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'smell about right' is the wordplay.
'smell' becomes 'hum' (something with a bad smell is 'humming').
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'right' becomes 'ok' (OK can mean right or appropriate).
'hum' going around 'ok' is 'HOKUM'.
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hokum that I've seen before include "Claptrap" , "gammon" , "Meaninglessness" , "Sentimental stuff in play or film, nonsense" , "Be extremely good (at activity)" .)