ring false
To seem to be incorrect, or implausible.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His excuse for being late rings false.”
“I wanted to believe his story, but something about his explanation just rings false.”
“Despite the politician's carefully rehearsed speech, his promises of reform rang false to the skeptical audience.”
- 01
give someone a ring
To place a telephone call to someone.
- 02
hold the ring
To oversee a situation while attempting to remain uninvolved in it.
- 03
kiss someone's ring
To give respect or reverence to someone; to express servitude to someone.
- 04
make the welkin ring
To celebrate or revel.
- 05
ring a bell
To seem at least vaguely familiar.
- 06
ring down the curtain
To end something.
- 07
ring hollow
To seem to be false or implausible; to be unconvincing.
- 08
ring off the hook
Of a telephone, to ring constantly or excessively.
Last updated August 10, 2026