ring true: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘ring true’ mean?
The idiom "ring true" means that something seems genuine or believable.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "seeing is believing" means that someone is more likely to believe something when they see it with their own eyes, rather than simply hearing about it or being told about it by someone else.
The idiom "ring up the curtain" means to begin or start a performance or event.
The idiom "ring up" means to register or record a sale or transaction, usually at a cash register. It can also refer to making a phone call, often used in the past when telephones had rotary dials.
The idiom "ring someone's bell" means to surprise or impress someone, often with a sudden or unexpected event or action. It can also refer to getting someone's attention or making them notice something. The expression is derived from the idea of a bell being rung to grab someone's attention or make a strong impact.
The idiom "ring one's bell" means to make someone understand or have a sudden realization about something. It often refers to a moment when a person is enlightened or has an "aha" moment.
The idiom "ring off the hook" means that a phone is constantly ringing due to a high volume of incoming calls. It is often used to describe a situation where someone is receiving an overwhelming amount of phone calls.
The idiom "ring hollow" means that something sounds insincere or not genuine, lacking in substance or meaning.
The idiom "ring false" means that something seems insincere or not genuine. It refers to a feeling that a statement or situation is untrue or artificial.
"Ring a bell" is an idiom that means to sound familiar or to trigger a memory or recognition of something.
The idiom "right on" is used to express agreement or approval with something that has been said or done. It is an informal phrase often used in casual conversations to indicate support or enthusiasm.
Uncovering Veracity
When something "rings false," it means that it sounds or feels unconvincing or insincere. The phrase "ring false" is the opposite of "ring true." While "ring true" implies authenticity and reliability, "ring false" suggests the opposite -- that something is not genuine or believable. It is often used to express doubt or skepticism towards a statement or claim. For example, if someone makes a statement that contradicts well-known facts or seems illogical, it can be said that the statement "rings false."
The idiom "ring hollow" is another related phrase that is used to describe something that sounds or feels empty, insincere, or lacking in substance. When something "rings hollow," it means that although it may seem plausible on the surface, it feels hollow or empty upon closer examination. The phrase is often used to express skepticism or doubt towards a promise, apology, or explanation. For instance, if someone makes an apology that lacks sincerity or substance, it can be said that the apology "rings hollow."
These related idioms, "ring false" and "ring hollow," have similarities to the idiom "ring true" in that they all involve the metaphorical sense of sound. However, while "ring true" implies authenticity and reliability, "ring false" suggests doubt or skepticism, and "ring hollow" indicates emptiness or insincerity. These idioms reflect the nuances of language and the importance of finding the right words to convey meaning accurately and effectively.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *ring true* can be used in a sentence:
- The statement made by the witness didn't ring true as there were several inconsistencies in her story.
- After reading the article, her explanation about the crime started to ring true and I believed her innocence.
- His promise to always be there for me in times of need didn't ring true because he never showed up when I needed him the most.
More "Veracity" idioms
