sound (redirected from soundlessness)

be as sound as a bell

to be very healthy or in very good condition. Her constitution is as sound as a bell.

See also: bell

be as sound as a dollar (American, old-fashioned)

if a machine or an object is as sound as a dollar, it works well and is in very good condition. The engine has been as sound as a dollar since it was overhauled.

See also: dollar

Empty vessels make (the) most noise/sound.

something that you say which means that people who talk a lot and frequently express their opinions are often stupid. David talks as if he's an expert on everything, but empty vessels make most noise.

See also: empty, most, noise, vessel

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, ring

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, ring

safe and sound

if you are safe and sound, you are not harmed in any way, although you were in a dangerous situation. It was a difficult drive but we all arrived safe and sound.

See also: safe

sound/toll the death knell

to cause an organization, system, or activity to fail or end. The new superstore will sound the death knell for hundreds of small independent shops. (often + for) The closure of the local car factory tolled the death knell of the town. (sometimes + of)

See also: death, knell, toll

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safe and sound

not hurt. After three days of searching for them, the hikers were found safe and sound.

See also: safe

sound asleep

in a deep sleep. He knew she would be sound asleep after an exhausting day of work.

See also: asleep

sound off

to express your opinion forcefully. On the Internet, people can sound off, in real time, about whatever they want.

sound someone out

to carefully discover what someone thinks or knows. I thought it might be good to sound him out about having you come to work for us. His policy was to sound out top business leaders before making any new economic proposals.

Usage notes: used to describe a way of asking about someone's opinions without upsetting or angering them

Etymology: based on the idea of sounding out a word you do not know by carefully pronouncing each part of it

sound the death knell for something

to cause something to end. Everyone likes e-mail, but it hasn't sounded the death knell for snail mail quite yet.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of sound the death knell (= to ring a church bell slowly to announce a person's death)

See also: death, knell