sound as a bell
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
In excellent condition.
Register: colloquial
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He hath a heart as sound as a bell, and his tongue is the clapper; for what his heart thinks, his tongue speaks.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “sound as a bell” mean?
In excellent condition.
Is “sound as a bell” formal or informal?
sound as a bell is generally colloquial.