B1idiominformalcommunicationIELTS-friendly
ring a bell
USUK
if a name or fact rings a bell, it seems familiar but you cannot remember it clearly
The name or fact is the subject: 'That rings a bell', not 'I ring a bell'. Often negative: 'It doesn't ring a bell.'
In context
The name Nguyen Van Hai rings a bell. Did he work here before?
I showed her the photo of the restaurant, but it didn't ring a bell.
More idioms about communication
- a bone of contentiona subject that people keep arguing about
- a broken recordsomeone who keeps repeating the same thing in an annoying way
- a heart-to-heartan honest, private conversation about personal feelings
- a moot pointUK: a question still open to argument. US: a question that no longer matters in practice.
- a red herringa fact or idea that takes attention away from the real issue