ring a bell

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B1

Post

Example

“That name rings a bell, but I can't place his face.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

spring to mind Neutral · CEFR B2

to come into your thoughts suddenly and easily

hang on a minute Informal · CEFR A2

used to ask someone to wait, or to express surprise or objection

bear in mind Neutral · CEFR B1

to remember and consider something when making a decision

come to mind Neutral · CEFR B1

to appear in one's thoughts or memory

get the picture Informal · CEFR B1

to understand a situation, especially after an explanation

how on earth Informal · CEFR B1

an emphatic way of asking 'how', expressing surprise or disbelief

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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