for whom the bell tolls: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Low)Literary, Formal, Proverbial
Quick answer
What does “for whom the bell tolls” mean?
A proverbial phrase, originally from a sermon by John Donne, meaning that death is a shared human experience and that the tolling of a funeral bell signifies a loss for everyone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proverbial phrase, originally from a sermon by John Donne, meaning that death is a shared human experience and that the tolling of a funeral bell signifies a loss for everyone.
Used to express the interconnectedness of humanity, especially in suffering or death; often employed to suggest that an event affecting one person or group is a matter of collective concern.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or form. The phrase is recognized and used identically in both varieties due to its literary origin.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries the same profound, solemn, and philosophical weight.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, primarily encountered in literary, academic, or rhetorical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “for whom the bell tolls” in a Sentence
[Prepositional Phrase] used as a nominal or adverbial element in a sentence, often following 'ask not'.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in leadership or ethics discussions to emphasise corporate social responsibility.
Academic
Common in literature, philosophy, and history courses when discussing John Donne, metaphysical poetry, or Hemingway.
Everyday
Very rare. If used, it is in a figurative or joking manner to comment on a shared minor inconvenience.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “for whom the bell tolls”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “for whom the bell tolls”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “for whom the bell tolls”
- Incorrect word order: 'For who the bell tolls' (using 'who' instead of 'whom').
- Using it inappropriately in casual conversation, which can sound pretentious.
- Misquoting the full idiom as 'for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for you' instead of 'thee'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The English poet and cleric John Donne, in his 'Meditation XVII', published in 1624.
No, the phrase was well-known from Donne's writing long before Ernest Hemingway used it as the title for his 1940 novel about the Spanish Civil War.
It is very formal and literary. Using it in casual talk might sound odd or pretentious unless you are making a deliberate, ironic, or philosophical point.
'Thee' is an archaic or poetic form of 'you' (objective case). So, 'it tolls for thee' means 'it rings for you'.
A proverbial phrase, originally from a sermon by John Donne, meaning that death is a shared human experience and that the tolling of a funeral bell signifies a loss for everyone.
For whom the bell tolls is usually literary, formal, proverbial in register.
For whom the bell tolls: in British English it is pronounced /fɔː huːm ðə bɛl təʊlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɔr huːm ðə bɛl toʊlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bell tolling at a funeral. The sound travels to everyone in the village, reminding them that death comes for all, connecting the community in loss.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMANITY IS A CONTINENT / DEATH IS A BELL TOLLING. The metaphor presents individual lives as parts of a larger landmass, and death as a sound that resonates for all.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary thematic concern of the phrase 'for whom the bell tolls'?