PhrasesHub

Ring a bell

    Definitions

      • to trigger a memory or recognition
        To remind someone of something or someone, causing them to recall or recognize it/them

      • to be familiar or recognizable
        To be well-known or familiar to someone, often due to repeated exposure or previous experience

      • to indicate something is familiar or known
        To suggest or imply that something is familiar or known to the speaker or listener, often used in questions or statements

    Examples of Ring a bell

    • The name of the new CEO finally rang a bell for me. I had heard it before, but couldn't quite place where I knew it from.

      This idiom means that a previously unfamiliar or forgotten piece of information suddenly becomes recognizable or familiar. The phrase "ring a bell" is used figuratively, as a bell ringing is a loud and distinctive sound that draws attention.

    • After listening to the witness's testimony, the judge's name suddenly rang a bell for the defense attorney. She realized that she had heard it before during a trial she had worked on years ago.

      In this example, the idiom is used to describe the moment when a memory is triggered, allowing the person to connect two seemingly unrelated pieces of information.

    • As soon as I saw the old friend's face, it rang a bell. I couldn't quite place where I knew her from, but I was sure we had met before.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a moment of recognition, whether it's a name, a face, or a memory.

    • The melody of the song suddenly rang a bell, and I realized that I had heard it in a commercial years ago.

      In this example, the idiom is used to describe the moment when a previously forgotten piece of information suddenly becomes familiar, whether it's a name, a face, or a sound.

    • The suspect's alibi finally rang a bell, and the detective realized that he had heard it before during a previous investigation.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the moment when a previously forgotten piece of information suddenly becomes familiar, whether it's a name, a face, or a piece of information.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "ring a bell" is commonly used to refer to triggering a memory or recognition. It can also indicate familiarity or recognition with something or someone. Additionally, it can be used to suggest that something is familiar or known to the speaker or listener.

    Origin of "Ring a bell"

    The origin of this idiom is thought to come from the practice of ringing bells to signify important events or to gather people's attention. In the 16th century, bells were commonly used in towns and villages to announce the time, call people to church, or alert residents of emergencies. This practice eventually led to the phrase "ring a bell" being used to mean catching someone's attention or causing them to remember something.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the use of bells in schools to signal the start and end of classes. Students were expected to remember their schedules and be on time, so if someone forgot or was late, it was said that the bell didn't "ring a bell" for them.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "ring a bell" has been in use since the 16th century and remains a common expression in modern English. It is often used in casual conversation and can be applied to various situations where memory or recognition is involved.