# bell out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bell-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To open out into a bell shape.

## Examples

- The fabric of her skirt bells out at the bottom.
- As the wind caught her dress, the hem began to bell out around her legs.
- The architect designed the base of the tower to bell out gracefully, providing both structural stability and a striking visual contrast to the narrow spire above.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.