You know what’s working bells? The phrase “that’s working bells, that is”. These days, it’s actually hard to find a phrase or idiom that hasn’t had the word “bells” inserted somewhere to get it right on the fashions.
In case you’re having trouble keeping up, here’s some of the most commonly-belled phrases around.
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| Not wanting to talk about something | “We’ll ring that bell when we come to it.” |
| Something has happened suddenly | “That’s like a bell from the blue!” |
| Taking risks | “Fortune favours the bells.” |
| Blaming poor work on others | “It’s a poor workman who blames his bells.” |
| Understand the situation | “I know which way the wind is belling.” |
| A good thing that seemed bad at first | “That’s a belling in disguise.” |
| There’s a cost to doing something | “You can’t make an omelette without going bells.” |
| It’s up to you to take the next step | “The bell’s in your court!” |
| Something is unexpectedly positive | “That’s a belling in disguise.” |
| Not noticing how long something has lasted because you’re enjoying yourself | “Time flies when you’re going bells!” |
15 comments on “Bells”
Can I just go on record as saying that I never want a “belling in disguise”.
I suppose that’s up to you. I mean, the bell’s in your court.
Yeah, I know fortune favours the bells and all, but at the minute I’m just going to have to see which way the wind bells.
In one bell and out the other. That’s your game.
It should also be pointed out that December is excessively Bell-y. I expect I’ll be using one of these at least every day. With bells on.
I’m still sad that “belly” means “stomach” and not “something involving a lot of bells”.
I’d say it has dual usage, double meaning, doobley worday as the French sometimes quoff. Double sons.
I meant it to be full of bells because December is. It came top of the Bells polls.
That is true. December is the bell’s knees.
The bells are always bellier on the other side.
There are always more bells in the sea.
And, let us remember, a bell in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Watch your language; you’re cruisin’ for a bellin’!
Oi! Wind your bell in, sunshine.
I hope you know the damage you’ve caused. I’ll be sweeping up bells from here ’til Easter.
A fool and his bell are soon parted.
That’s very true.
I tell you what – all this wonderful bell chat really lifts my spirits. I’m like the bell of the ball.