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
"The flash Eurozone PMI is ringing stagflation alarm bells," said Williamson.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 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
The prairie was speckled with purple prairie crocus, yellow bells, and furry kittentails I couldn’t resist petting as I passed.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
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.
