“That does ring a bell.”
Meaning: If you have a vague memory of something and a smell or a name reminds you of that memory, we say that it rings a bell.
When do we use it?
Use this expression when you are reminded of a vague memory. Someone might say a name that you think you remember, or you hear a song that you heard before; those things “ring a bell”.
How do we use it?
We can use this phrase in two ways: “That rings a bell” or “that does not ring a bell.”
• She introduced herself as Anne, but her name didn’t ring any bells.
• Now that you said the name of the town it is starting to ring a bell.
• I reminded him of the meeting and he said it rang a bell.
• When she smelt the flowers it rang a bell and she was reminded of an old memory.
Similar Expressions
• The smell of roses calls to mind my school years.
• This feels/sounds/looks very familiar.
• It reminded me of a vague memory.
• I remember something about it now.
Example in English Conversations
A) Her name is Anne. Does that ring a bell?
B) To be honest, I can’t recall meeting her at all.
A) How did you remember the name of the town?
B) While I was eating an apple pie something rang a bell and I remembered where I ate it last.
A) Dad, I think we are lost.
B) We are not lost. Don’t you remember the road?
A) Those buildings do ring a bell.
A) I just can’t remember the name of that song I like.
B) Sing me the chorus and I will try and find it.
A) “Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows…” That’s all I remember.
B) It does ring a bell. I’ll google it.