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.
“Inflation alarm bells are ringing,” said Bert Colijn, chief economist for the Netherlands at ING, noting a three-year high in industry selling-price expectations and a sharp spike in consumer inflation views.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
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
The sector bears watching, but it may not be time to ring recession alarm bells just yet.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
But a second-consecutive season without silverware would perhaps raise alarm bells.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
I stilled the ringing bells with a clammy palm.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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.
