bell
A hollow object, often made of metal, that makes a clear sound when hit.
A hollow metal or other material object, typically cup-shaped, that produces a ringing sound when struck.
To make a bell ring so it makes a sound.
To cause a bell to make its characteristic ringing sound.
A device that makes a sound to tell you something is happening.
A device that rings to signal an event, warning, or time.
The wide end of some objects, like musical instruments, shaped like a bell.
A cup-shaped part of an instrument or other object, often used to project sound or fit over something else.
- Base: bell
- Plural: bells
- Base: bell
- 3rd Person Singular: bells
- Present Participle: belling
- Past: belled
alarm bells ring
1Warning signs appear or are noticed
Something makes you feel worried that there is a problem.
- When she didn't answer her phone all day, alarm bells began to ring.
- The sudden drop in sales set off alarm bells among investors.
bell the cat
1Take on dangerous group task
To do something dangerous to help everyone, even if it is hard or risky.
- No one wanted to bell the cat by telling the boss his plan was bad.
- In politics, few are willing to bell the cat when it comes to unpopular reforms.
ring a bell
1Seem familiar to someone mentally
To sound like something you have heard before but cannot fully remember.
- Her name doesn't ring a bell with me.
- That name doesn't ring a bell for me.
- That song rings a bell — I think I've heard it before.
- Her face rings a bell, but I can't remember where we've met.
saved by the bell
1Rescued at last moment by interruption
To be rescued from trouble just in time by something that happens suddenly, like an interruption or signal.
- I was about to answer a hard question, but then class ended—saved by the bell!
- I was about to answer a hard question, but the class ended—saved by the bell!
- He was about to be caught, but a phone call saved him by the bell.
- He was losing the boxing match but was saved by the bell at the end of the round.