ring out
B2Neutral to Formal, also literary.
Definition
Meaning
To produce a loud, clear, resonant sound that can be heard over a distance, often applied to bells, sounds, or voices.
To mark the end of something through a resonant sound, or for a sound to be heard clearly and prominently above other noise.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a verb phrase. It describes a sound that is both loud and clear, often with an implication of carrying over distance or cutting through other noise. It can be used both literally (bells, voices) and metaphorically (marking an end, a signal).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in core meaning or frequency. Slight stylistic preference for literary use in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes clarity, resonance, and prominence of sound. In historical/literary contexts, can evoke ceremony, tradition, or decisive moments.
Frequency
Moderate and comparable frequency in both varieties. Perhaps marginally more common in UK English due to historical/literary associations with church bells.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sound/Subject] + ring out + (across/through [place])Let + [sound] + ring outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ring out the old, ring in the new (from Tennyson's poem, used at New Year).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'Let our new brand message ring out across the industry.'
Academic
Used in historical/literary analysis: 'The bells rang out to signal the armistice.'
Everyday
Describing sudden, loud noises: 'A gunshot rang out in the quiet street.'
Technical
Not applicable in most technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The church bells will ring out to celebrate the King's coronation.
- A cheer rang out from the crowd at Wembley.
American English
- Let freedom ring out from every mountainside. (MLK reference)
- A siren rang out across the downtown district.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The school bell rings out at 3:30 pm.
- I heard a loud noise ring out.
- Cheers rang out when the team scored the winning goal.
- The old clock rings out every hour.
- The president's words rang out across the packed square, inspiring the nation.
- A single shot rang out, silencing the crowd.
- The solemn tones of the memorial bell rang out across the misty fields, marking the centenary.
- His clear tenor voice rang out above the orchestra, flawlessly projecting to the back of the hall.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a church RINGer pulling the rope OUT to make the bell sound travel OUTwards.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS A PROJECTILE (it 'rings out' like a shot), ANNOUNCEMENT IS A SOUND (a voice 'rings out' a command).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from 'звенеть наружу'. The phrase is idiomatic. Use 'раздаваться', 'прозвучать', 'громко звучать'.
- Do not confuse with 'ring someone out' (a non-existent phrase).
Common Mistakes
- *The telephone ringed out. (Incorrect; for a phone, use 'rang' or 'is ringing')
- *He ring out the bell. (Incorrect verb form; 'He rang out the bell' or 'The bell rang out')
- Confusing 'ring out' with 'ring off' (to end a phone call).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ring out' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'ring the bells out'. It is intransitive: 'The bells rang out.'
Typically no. We say 'the phone is ringing' or 'the phone rang'. 'Ring out' implies a sound projecting publicly over an area, not a personal device.
'Ring out' focuses on the initial loud, clear, projecting quality of the sound. 'Echo' focuses on the repetition of the sound after it bounces off surfaces.
It's a fixed literary phrase from Alfred Lord Tennyson, now almost exclusively used around New Year ('ring out the old year, ring in the new'). It's not used in general contexts.