(something) doesn't ring a bell (with one)

(something) doesn't ring a bell (with one)

Something does not seem familiar, remind one of something, or stimulate an incomplete or indistinct memory. Your description doesn't ring a bell, probably because I've never been there myself. A: "Have you ever heard of Steve Robinson?" B: "Hmm, the name doesn't ring a bell with me." I have no idea what movie you're describing—"aliens in airplanes" doesn't ring a bell with me.

See also: bell, ring

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