ring (redirected from rang)

alarm bells start to ring

set (the) alarm bells ringing - if something sets alarm bells ringing, it makes you feel worried because it is a sign that there may be a problem. Alarm bells started to ring (= I became worried) when I found out that he still lived with his mother.

See also: alarm, bell, start

the brass ring (American)

success or a reward that you try to achieve, often by competing against other people. Our aim is to have the best team in the league - the brass ring is there guys, go and get it.

See also: brass

have a familiar ring (to it)

if something has a familiar ring, you believe that you have heard it before. I thought that name had a familiar ring. I went to school with that girl.

have a hollow ring

ring/sound hollow - if something someone says rings hollow, it does not sound true or sincere. In view of the government's financial problems, these promises have a hollow ring.

See also: hollow

have a ring to it

if a word or idea has a ring to it, it sounds interesting or attractive. I suppose 'Cathy's Country Cooking' has a certain ring to it. (never in continuous tenses)

ring a bell

if a phrase or a word, especially a name, rings a bell, you think you have heard it before. Does the name 'Fitzpatrick' ring a bell? No, I'm sorry, that description doesn't ring any bells with me. (often + with)

See also: bell

ring off the hook (American, informal)

if your telephone rings off the hook, it rings a lot. The box office phones were ringing off the hook all day.

See also: hook

ring the changes (British & Australian)

to make something more interesting by changing it in some way. Bored with your old look? Ring the changes with our new-look hairstyles and make-up!

See also: change

ring true

if something someone has said or written rings true, it seems to be true. Something about the story didn't quite ring true. (often negative)

See also: true

ring/sound alarm bells

set (the) alarm bells ringing - if something sets alarm bells ringing, it makes you feel worried because it is a sign that there may be a problem. The huge vote for fascist candidates should ring alarm bells (= cause people to worry) across Europe.

See also: alarm, bell, sound

ring/sound hollow

if something someone says rings hollow, it does not sound true or sincere. The claims they made two years ago that peace was just around the corner ring very hollow now.

See also: hollow, sound

run rings around/round someone

to have much more skill, ability, or intelligence than someone else. Why does he talk to Alison as if she's stupid, when we all know she could run rings around him?

See also: around, round, run

set (the) alarm bells ringing

if something sets alarm bells ringing, it makes you feel worried because it is a sign that there may be a problem. Symptoms which should set alarm bells ringing are often ignored by doctors.

See also: alarm, bell, set

a three-ring circus (American & Australian)

a lot of noisy or confused activity. It's a three-ring circus in that classroom - the kids can't possibly be learning anything.

See also: circus

throw/toss your hat in the ring (American & Australian)

to do something that makes it clear you want to compete with other people, especially to compete for a political position. She's seriously considering throwing her hat in the ring and declaring herself a candidate for the election.

See also: hat, throw, toss

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give someone a ring

to telephone someone. She's been sick for a couple of days, so why don't you give her a ring? I'm calling to find out what tonight's homework is, so if you could give me a ring and let me know I would really appreciate it.

See also: give

have a familiar ring (to it)

to seem as if you have heard it or experienced it before. Passing notes to friends in class may have a familiar ring to it, but these days students use text messages on their phones to send forbidden messages.

ring a bell

ring a bell

to seem familiar. “We live in Walnut Creek.” “I don't know why that rings a bell.”

have a familiar ring (to it)

See also: bell

ring hollow

to seem dishonest, not true, or wrong. The Rockets sounded like a defeated team — they talked of the possibility of a comeback, but the words rang hollow. Her characters and situations all ring false and her movie just seems painful and pointless.

Usage notes: often used in the forms a hollow ring or a false ring a dishonest or not sincere quality: Her story about the hostages is certainly exciting, but it has a hollow ring.

ring true

See also: hollow

ring off the hook

to receive an extremely large number of telephone calls. The box office phones were ringing off the hook all day.

Etymology: based on the idea of having the telephone ring so much it causes the part you hold in your hand to fall off the part it rests on

See also: hook

ring true

to seem to be accurate or sincere. The book rang true because the author had actually experienced the ordeal of being marooned on an island. Cooper's reassuring words didn't ring true with everyone.

Usage notes: often used with not, as in the example, and often used in the forms the ring of truth or a ring of truth: Speaking as a parent of boys, I can tell you her comments have the ring of truth.

ring hollow

See also: true

ring up something

1. to record the prices of items being bought. Their groceries had already been rung up at the cash register. If a sales clerk forgets to ring something up do you call it to his or her attention?

Usage notes: from pushing keys on an old-fashioned cash register a machine that records a sale and stores the money received, which made a ringing sound

2. to earn or lose a particular amount of money. His division, which employs about 300 people worldwide, rang up $50 million in sales last year.

run rings around someone/something

to show much more skill or ability than someone or something else. International gangs of art thieves have run rings around national police. Olympic hockey runs rings around the game played by professionals.

See also: around, run

throw your hat in the ring

to announce that you intend to compete for something, esp. a political position. At today's news conference, the congressman officially threw his hat in the ring and began his campaign for the Senate.

See also: hat, throw