Sound as a bell
Meaning
To be in excellent health or perfect working condition, without any flaws or defects.
Origin
The phrase "sound as a bell" rings with clarity and quality, an echo from a time when the very tone of a bell was a marker of its perfection. For centuries, bells were incredibly important—they marked time, summoned people to worship, and even sounded warnings. A bell's "soundness" wasn't just about its structural integrity; it was about the rich, clear, uncracked tone it produced. If a bell was cracked or poorly cast, its sound would be dull, discordant, or simply not ring true. Thus, when something was "sound as a bell" by the 16th century, it meant it possessed that same flawless, resonant quality, whether referring to a person's health, a building's structure, or an argument's logic. It was a testament to impeccable condition, perfectly true and clear.
Examples
- After a week of rest and medication, the doctor declared he was sound as a bell and ready to return to work.
- Despite its age, the vintage motorcycle engine was still running sound as a bell, purring along smoothly.