Also:
has a nice ring to it
Has a Ring To It Meaning
When something, such as a title or name, has a ring to it, it sounds appealing, satisfying, appropriate, pleasing to the ear, etc.
The word ring, in this idiom, is often modified with nice, certain, etc. as in ‘that has a nice ring to it’ or ‘that has a certain ring to it.’
When we say, that has a nice ring to it, we mean that we are pleased and happy with it: “Let’s name her Anna.”
“Anna, that has a nice ring to it.”
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Usage Notes
This idiom is most often used in regards to prospective titles, names, etc. If you were about to be named President of the World, you might say ‘that has a nice ring to it.’
You can just say ‘that has a nice ring.’ The ending, ‘to it’ is not required but is often used.
The word certain, which is not required, is used in the sense of something specific but not explicitly named or stated.
Saying something has a certain ring to it is similar to saying it has a certain je ne sais quoi: something with an appealing quality that cannot quite be described or expressed.
Something can also have a familiar ring. When something has a familiar ring, it sounds like something you have heard or seen before, but you can’t quite remember it:
“That story sure has a familiar ring. I swear I’ve heard it before.”
This idiom, unlike the general idiom ‘have a ring to it’ is less specific in its use. It can refer to anything that you may have heard of before but you can’t remember, specifically, such as a story, a joke, a name, a person’s voice, etc. The variation ‘has a familiar ring to it’ is also used, but, again, the words ‘to it’ are not required.
Sentence Examples
“You’re in the running for Vice-President of Operations.”
“Well, that has a certain ring to it.”
“Do you plan to change your name when you get married?”
“Probably not but Mrs. Agatha Mills Heinz has a nice ring to it.”
“I want to promote you to Acting Program Director.”
“Well, that does have a ring to it but I’m already over-worked and understaffed.”
“Your voice has a familiar ring. Have we spoken before?”
“Have you met Mr. Pearson before?”
“The name has a familiar ring to it but I don’t recall actually meeting him.”
Origin
There is evidence of both idioms being used during the 1800s but it is difficult to say which came first. I have found evidence of the expression ‘has a nice ring to it’ from 1830. The word ring, in these idioms, alludes to a highly resonant or sonorous sound, as that made by a bell.
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