Idiom
give someone a bell
Meanings
To telephone someone; to call someone.
Definition
To give someone a bell means to call someone on the phone.
If you give someone a bell, you phone them, usually to share information or arrange something. It is a common, informal phrase in British English. People often use it when they plan to call soon rather than immediately.
Examples
- I’ll give you a bell tonight when I get home.
- Give me a bell if you’re running late.
- She said she’d give him a bell after the meeting.
- Can you give the plumber a bell and confirm the time?
- If anything changes, just give someone a bell and let them know.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use this in very formal writing; it is informal, so use “call/phone” in formal contexts.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a relaxed, friendly chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of what you have done or a difficult situation.