Idiom
Bells and whistles
Bells and whistles are extra features that make something more attractive or impressive but are not really necessary.
How people use it
People use it for gadgets, cars, software, websites and even plans with lots of add-ons (I don't need all the bells and whistles; I just want a phone that makes calls). It is informal and can be neutral or slightly dismissive, suggesting the extras are more show than substance. It usually appears with all the, or with no or without. It is almost always plural.
Also said: all the bells and whistles.
Examples
- The basic coffee maker works fine; we don't need one with all the bells and whistles.
- Ben's new bike has bells and whistles galore, including lights that turn on by themselves.
- The school wanted a simple website without bells and whistles, just clear information for parents.
Where it comes from
No one knows the exact source. A common explanation points to fairground organs and theater organs of the early 1900s, which had added bells, whistles and other sound effects to impress audiences. Others mention the bells and whistles on trains and steamboats. The phrase became especially popular in the second half of the 1900s, in talk about computers and other technology.
Check yourself
1. What are the bells and whistles on a new laptop?
Answer: Extra features that are nice but not essential. Bells and whistles are fancy extras, not the essential parts or alarm sounds.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: The car comes with all the bells and whistles, from heated seats to a giant screen.. Heated seats and a giant screen are extras, which fits. Engine parts are essential, and the music sentence is literal.
Word game fan? See every word hiding in BELLS.