ringing a bell

Verb

ring a bell (third-person singular simple present rings a bell, present participle ringing a bell, simple past rang a bell, past participle rung a bell)

1. (idiomatic, informal) To seem at least vaguely familiar.
   • His face rings a bell. I wonder if I know him from somewhere.
2. (idiomatic, informal) To spark a previously forgotten memory.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see ring, a, bell.