ring the changes

Idioms  

1. Keep varying how one performs an action or says something, as in She went on and on, ringing the changes on the joy of computers. This expression alludes to the art of change-ringing, where a series of church bells are rung in as many sequences, or changes, as possible. [Early 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ring the changes

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus continued to ring the changes as he again made 10 starting alterations.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

Wales coach Ioan Cunningham began to ring the changes, but the impact from the bench could not spark the comebacks that had been seen over Ireland and Scotland.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2022

Bournemouth, who will be playing in blue and black tonight, but unlike Arsenal last night have an excuse for doing so, ring the changes too.

From The Guardian ● Oct. 28, 2015

But one goal proved to be enough for Inverness, while Celtic will aim to improve and likely ring the changes again for Tuesday's return leg against Maribor in Glasgow.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2014

And so they ring the changes, originating nothing, gaining nothing, only getting redder in the face and more indistinct in their pronunciation. 

From The Night Side of London by J. Ewing (James Ewing) Ritchie