sound (redirected from soundness)

*in good shape and *in good condition physically and functionally sound and sturdy. (Used for both people and things. *Typically: be ~; get ~; keep ~.)

This car isn't in good shape. I'd like to have one that's in better condition. Mary is in good condition. She exercises and eats right to stay healthy. You have to make an effort to get into good shape.

See also: good, shape

*sound as a bell

in perfect condition or health; undamaged. (*Also: as ~.) The doctor says that the old man's heart's as sound as a bell. I thought the vase was broken when it fell, but it was sound as a bell.

See also: bell

*sound as a dollar 

1. Cliché very secure and dependable. (*Also: as ~.) This investment is as sound as a dollar. I wouldn't put my money in a bank that isn't sound as a dollar.

2. Cliché sturdy and well-constructed. (*Also: as ~.) This house is as sound as a dollar. The garage is still sound as a dollar. Why tear it down?

See also: dollar

all oak and iron bound and *sound as a barrel

Rur. in good health; feeling good. (*Also: as ~.) Tom: How are you today? Bill: All oak and iron bound, thank you. Jane made a wonderful recovery from her surgery, and now she's as sound as a barrel.

See also: and, barrel, bound, iron, oak

Empty vessels make the most sound.

Prov. Foolish people make the most noise. I suspect Amy is not very smart. She chatters constantly, and as they say, empty vessels make the most sound.

See also: empty, make, most, vessel

I don't want to sound like a busybody, but

Fig. an expression used to introduce an opinion or suggestion. Bob: I don't want to sound like a busybody, but didn't you intend to have your house painted? Bill: Well, I guess I did. Bob: I don't want to sound like a busybody, but some of your neighbors wonder if you could stop parking your car on your lawn. Sally: I'll thank you to mind your own business!

See also: but, like, want

let out some kind of sound

[for a living creature] to make some kind of a noise or sound. Be quiet. Don't let out a sound! Suddenly, Jane let out a shriek.

See also: kind, let, out, some

safe and sound

unharmed and whole or healthy. It was a rough trip, but we got there safe and sound. I'm glad to see you here safe and sound.

See also: and, safe

sound someone out

to try to find out what someone thinks (about something). I don't know what Jane thinks about your suggestion, but I'll sound her out. please sound out everyone in your department.

See also: out

sound something out

to pronounce the letters or syllables of a word as a means of figuring out what the word is. (Usually said to a child.) This word is easy, Bobby. Try to sound it out.

See also: out

sound as if and Sound like

to seem, from what has been said, as if something were so. (sound like is colloquial.) It sounds as if you had a good vacation. You sound like you are angry.

See also: if

sound asleep

completely asleep; in a deep sleep. I was sound asleep when the fire broke out.

See also: asleep

sound like a broken record

to say the same thing over and over again. (Fig. on a scratch in a phonograph record causing the needle [or stylus] to stay in the same groove and play it over and over.) He's always complaining about the way she treats him. He sounds like a broken record! I hate to sound like a broken record, but we just don't have enough people on the payroll to work effciently.

See also: broken, like, record

sound off

to speak something loudly; to call out one's name or one's place in a numerical sequence. All right, sound off, you guys! Each one sounded off.

sound off (about something)

1. to complain about something; to gripe about something. You are always sounding off about something that gripes your soul. Just sound off if you've got a beef.

2. to speak out of turn about something. Who asked you to sound off about this? Don't just sound off without raising your hand.

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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, make, most, noise, vessel

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 beat hollow

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: and, safe

sound/toll the death knell

to cause an organization, system, or activity to fail or end

Usage notes: A knell is the sound of a bell being rung slowly to tell people that someone has died.

(often + for ) The new superstore will sound the death knell for hundreds of small independent shops. (sometimes + of ) The closure of the local car factory tolled the death knell of the town.

See ring hollow

See also: death, knell

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ring hollow also ring false

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.

Opposite of: ring true

See also: hollow, ring

safe and sound

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

See also: and, safe

sound somebody out also sound out somebody

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

See also: out

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 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