with bells on

prepositional phrase

With eager anticipation and enthusiasm, especially regarding the acceptance of an invitation.

“Great idea! We'll be there with bells on.”

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Meanings

prepositional phrase
  1. idiomaticWith eager anticipation and enthusiasm, especially regarding the acceptance of an invitation.

    Great idea! We'll be there with bells on.

    1 more example

    How about a BBQ at our house, Saturday June 14th, 4pm?

Origin

Developed by the nineteenth century from earlier literal associations between bells and their lively, attention-drawing presence.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Hungarian de még mennyire
  • de még mennyirewith eager anticipation and enthusiasm
Cite this entry
APA

with bells on. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/with%20bells%20on

MLA

“with bells on.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/with%20bells%20on. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “with bells on,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/with%20bells%20on.

Source: with bells on on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.