What Does "Bells and Whistles" Mean?
"Bells and whistles" is an English idiom. It means "additional features or accessories, not necessary but enhancing."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "bells and whistles" used in a sentence:- This car has all the bells and whistles: leather seats, sunroof, satellite radio.
- I don't need a phone with all the bells and whistles, just something basic.
- Their new home theater system has all the bells and whistles.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Bells and Whistles" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "bells and whistles" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
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