# ring true

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/ring-true
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To seem to be correct, or plausible

## Examples

- His excuse does not ring true to me.
- Her advice about saving money always seems to ring true.
- Does this old legend ring true to you?
- I listened to his explanation of the accident, but something about the story did not ring true.
- The witness's description of the events began to ring true once the police found the missing security footage.
- Even though the movie is a work of fiction, the characters' emotions ring true to anyone who has lost a friend.
- The author's description of life in a small town rings true because she grew up in a place just like the one in her book.
- Although the politician spoke with great confidence, his promises failed to ring true to the skeptical audience gathered in the hall.

## Origin

The idiom derives from the practice of dropping a coin onto a hard surface to test its authenticity by the sound produced. A genuine coin of precious metal would ring with a clear, resonant tone, whereas a counterfeit composed of base metals would emit a dull, discordant thud. The quality of the vibration served as the primary diagnostic for the coin's integrity.

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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.