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

Organizers said the desire to outfit the exhibit with digital bells and whistles came directly from the top.

From Los Angeles Times

Flighty users pay for access to the full suite of bells and whistles, though a limited version of the app is free to download.

From The Wall Street Journal

I shut off all the bells and whistles.

From The Wall Street Journal

The party that’s united around a neutral extension of funding without partisan bells and whistles—known in the jargon as a “clean” bill—comes out on top.

From Slate

“There’s nothing like it. It’s raw, just bass, drums, guitar, and vocals off the floor. Then, you add all the bells and whistles as you go along. When we can do things like that, it just reminds me who we are.”

From Los Angeles Times