ring a bell

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ring a bell [idiom]

To sound familiar

Example: 

The name rings a bell. Isn’t he an English teacher?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

4 ring a bell   informal   if something rings a bell, it reminds you of something, but you cannot remember exactly what it is :  
Her name rings a bell but I can’t remember her face.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ring a ˈbell idiom

(informal) to sound familiar to you, as though you have heard it before

> His name rings a bell but I can't think where we met.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

ring a bell ( also ring any bells )

C2 to sound familiar:

The name rang a bell but I couldn't remember where I had heard it before.

No, I'm sorry, that description doesn't ring any bells with me.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ring a bell informal : to be familiar
• Yes, that name rings a bell.
• The term didn't ring a bell with me.