bells
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of bells
1965–70; by shortening of the full phrase, as in shorts from short pants
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the alarm bells are ringing within OpenAI’s offices too, which have been locked in “code red” mode since December.
From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026
But a second-consecutive season without silverware would perhaps raise alarm bells.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
Weak Canadian job numbers for February will likely raise alarm bells at the Bank of Canada but won’t be enough to sway policymakers to cut rates next week, Oxford Economics said in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
QLAYAA, Lebanon — The bells rang, their peals obscuring the buzz of the Israeli drone overhead as the casket of Father Pierre al-Rahi arrived at the parish he had served.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026
“Shipwrecks and cannibals. Does that ring any bells, Miss Lumley? I know you filch books from my library sometimes; don’t deny it.”
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
