bells and whistles

American  

Sometimes whistles and bells

plural noun

Informal.

1. features added to a product; special parts or functions; extras.

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bells and whistles British  

plural noun

1. additional features or accessories which are nonessential but very attractive

   my car has all the latest bells and whistles

2. additions, such as options or warranties, made to a financial product to increase its market appeal

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Etymology

Origin of bells and whistles

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“This is the door to the ballroom,” he said, pointing to the future entrance to the $400 million addition to the White House, elaborating on all the bells and whistles the building will have.

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2026

Ultimately, large customers are going to develop some of their own bells and whistles, or cut seats.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

His younger brother, who lives outside Seattle, also can’t stand stop-start, including in his 2022 Outback “with all the fancy bells and whistles and cameras.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Not to go all Charlie Brown here – and yes, a Peanuts-themed fireplace exists on the Interwebs – but might we introspect about these commercialist and consumerist bells and whistles leading us astray?

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

A chorus of exclamation points says two things about your writing: First, you’re not confident that what you’re saying is important, so you need bells and whistles to get attention.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner