ring bell

Press the buzzer

To ring a bell is to cause a bell to sound, whether by pulling a rope, pressing a button, or striking it.

The phrase commonly appears in the expression that rings a bell, meaning something sounds familiar or triggers a faint memory: The name rings a bell, but I can't place her.

To ring someone's bell can mean to punch them hard enough to daze, or in slang, to provide sexual satisfaction.

Related
  • chimeMelodic bell sound
  • tollFee for passage
  • dingSmall surface imperfection
  • pealResonant ringing burst
  • clangLoud metallic sound

gong · doorbell · alarm · jingle · sound · tower · church · resonance · echo · summon · announce · vibrate · bronze · clapper · belfry · wedding · school · answer

Categories
Opposites
method of announcing arrival

ring bellknock

Strike-produced sound

call out · shout · barge in · sneak in

auditory signaling action

ring bellremain silent

stay quiet · hush · stifle

sound production vs. silence

ring bellleave

Sanctioned time away

walk away · sneak in

Family

ring, bell, rings, rang, rung, ringing, ringer, ringers, bells

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G