ring a bell

dire quelque chose

Sembler connu, sans qu’on se rappelle exactement où on l’a vu ou entendu.

En anglais simple : Something seems familiar, although you cannot remember exactly where you heard or saw it.

• Her name rings a bell.
• Does that address ring a bell?
• His face rang a bell, but I could not place him.

Synonymes : sound familiar

Expressions courantes : names ring a bell, ring a bell vaguely

rappeler un souvenir

Faire revenir le souvenir d’une personne, d’une chose ou d’un événement oublié.

En anglais simple : Something makes you remember a person, thing, or event that you had forgotten.

• That tune rings a bell.
• Her story rang a bell, and I remembered our first meeting.
• Did the photograph ring a bell and bring back your holiday memories?

Synonymes : jog your memory, remind

Expressions courantes : ring a bell suddenly, stories ring a bell

sonner une cloche

Faire sonner une cloche, généralement pour appeler quelqu’un ou donner un signal.

En anglais simple : You make a bell produce a sound, usually to call someone or give a signal.

• Please ring a bell for dinner.
• The teacher rang a bell to end the lesson.
• Who is ringing a bell outside?

Expressions courantes : ring a bell loudly, ring a bell twice