sound as a bell

Idioms  

1. In excellent condition, as in Now that the brakes have been relined, the car is sound as a bell, or The surgery went well and now he's sound as a bell. This simile rests on the assumption that the bell in question is not cracked (which would make it useless). First recorded in 1565, it has survived numerous other similes (sound as a top or roach or dollar), probably owing to its pun on “sound.”

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Example Sentences

And then there are some trees in the valleys under the mountains, sound as a bell, and bad right through.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

"Oh, as sound as a bell," said Miss Tristram.

From Orley Farm by Trollope, Anthony

"No," said Reuben, tapping the back of the fiddle lightly with his finger-tips, and listening to the tone, though he kept his eyes fixed upon his uncle's—"she's as sound as a bell."

From Aunt Rachel by Murray, David Christie

"Give us two hours," said one of them who had a right to speak, "and we will make everything as sound as a bell."

From From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917 by Gibbs, Philip

"As a small boy," said her father, "he was very delicate; but now he's as sound as a bell and he looks as strong as an elk."

From It, and Other Stories by Morris, Gouverneur