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.
It had a sharpness to it that set off alarm bells in my head.
From Literature
White stated she had been "concerned" for the woman and, asked why, she replied: "It was a man making a young woman scared. It is going to be alarm bells."
From BBC
Despite his growing interest in Maggie, Dr. Kane refused to believe that spirits tipped tables, rang bells, or rapped messages to communicate.
From Literature
In the morning, the castle rang with chimes and bells, not like the single gong of the village bell in The Mountain, but dozens of them ringing in all different tones.
From Literature
Still, while an 80% dividend payout ratio is above the S&P 500’s average of around 60%, it is below the 90% level that often starts setting off alarm bells for investors.
From Barron's
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.
