ding-dong: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial, occasionally humorous. The 'argument' sense is primarily British and Australian informal.
Quick answer
What does “ding-dong” mean?
An onomatopoeic word representing the sound of two bells ringing in alternation, or by extension, any similar sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An onomatopoeic word representing the sound of two bells ringing in alternation, or by extension, any similar sound.
1. A heated, noisy argument or quarrel. 2. (British, informal) Used to indicate something is very lively, intense, or competitive. 3. (Dated/childish) A word for a doorbell.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'heated argument' sense is far more common in British and Australian English than in American English. The doorbell sense is understood but sounds childish or dated in both varieties.
Connotations
UK: For the argument sense, connotes a lively, often public, verbal fight that may be non-serious or humorous. US: Primarily retains the core sound-imitative meaning; the argument sense is rare and may not be immediately understood.
Frequency
In the UK, 'ding-dong' (for an argument) is moderately common in tabloid journalism and informal speech. In the US, it is infrequent and marked as a Britishism.
Grammar
How to Use “ding-dong” in a Sentence
have a ding-dong [with someone]be a ding-dong [of a match/argument]there was a ding-dongVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ding-dong” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The neighbours had a terrific ding-dong last night.
- It was a ding-dong of a football match, ending 4-3.
- The ding-dong of the church bells filled the square.
American English
- The ding-dong of the old grandfather clock was soothing.
- He imitated the 'ding-dong' of a bicycle bell. (Argument sense unlikely)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Only in metaphorical descriptions of intense negotiations: 'The merger talks turned into a real ding-dong.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Informal, mainly UK: 'They had a right ding-dong about whose turn it was to wash up.' Also, sound description: 'I heard the ding-dong of the ice cream van.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ding-dong”
- Using it in a formal context. Spelling it as 'ding dong' (without hyphen) is common but the hyphenated form is standard for the noun. Overusing the argument sense in American contexts where it may cause confusion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is firmly informal and colloquial. Its use in formal writing, except for direct sound quotation, is inappropriate.
Very rarely. Its primary part of speech is a noun. You might see 'ding-donging' as a participle (e.g., 'the ding-donging bells'), but it's not a standard verb.
Not usually. It often carries a humorous or slightly exaggerated tone, describing a loud but not necessarily deeply serious conflict.
They are close synonyms in British English. 'Ding-dong' often emphasises the alternating, noisy, and sometimes theatrical nature of the argument, while 'row' is a more general term for a serious quarrel.
An onomatopoeic word representing the sound of two bells ringing in alternation, or by extension, any similar sound.
Ding-dong: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪŋ ˈdɒŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪŋ ˈdɔːŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ding-dong battle”
- “ding-dong of the bell”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two bells, DING and DONG, arguing loudly with each other. DING says one thing, DONG retorts—a classic ding-dong!
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS A BELL RINGING (alternating, loud, attention-grabbing). INTENSITY IS LOUD NOISE.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'ding-dong' most commonly used to mean 'a noisy argument'?