bells and whistles
bells and whistles :
bell, book, and candle
a formula for laying a curse on someone
This expression alludes to the closing words of the rite of excommunication, 'Do to the book, quench the candle, ring the bell', meaning that the service book is closed, the candle put out and the passing bell rung, as a sign of spiritual death.
bell the cat
take the danger of a shared enterprise upon yourself
Bell the cat alludes to the fable in which mice or rats have the idea of hanging a bell around the cat' sneck so as to have warning of its approach, the only difficulty being to find one of their number willing to undertake the task.
bells and whistles
attractive additional features or trimmings – informal
The bells and whistles originally referred to were those found on old fairground organs. Nowadays, the phrase is often used in computing jargon to mean attractive but superfluous facilities.
saved by the bell
preserved from danger narrowly or by an unexpected intervention
In boxing matches a contestant who has been knocked to the floor can be saved from being counted out by the ringing of the bell to mark the end of a round.
as clear as a bell = as sound as a bell
perfectly clear
perfectly sound
1993 - Independent - We spent a few thousand on redecoration, but basically the place was sound as a bell.
give someone a bell
telephone someone - British informal
ring a bell
revive a distant recollection
sound familiar – informal
with bells on
enthusiastically - North American informal
1989 - Mary Gordon - The Other Side - So, everybody's waiting for you with bells on.
bells and whistles :
Idioms Index – Previous Page
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