What does "Give us a bell" mean?
It means give me a phone call. In this casual phrase, us means me, and a bell is a phone call.
Hear an Aussie say it
The saying
Give us a bell
Example
Give us a bell when you land.
How Aussies use it
At the airport
Mum: Give us a bell when you land in Perth.
Sam: Will do. Love you!
Mum wants a phone call once the plane lands. Will do means I will.
At work
Raj: I'll be out on site all afternoon.
Ella: No worries. Give us a bell if anything comes up.
Ella is asking Raj to phone her if there is a problem. Us means me.
After a repair at home
Dave: If the tap starts dripping again, give us a bell.
Leila: Thanks, I've got your number.
Dave is the plumber. He wants Leila to phone him if there is another leak.
How to reply
- "Will do." A short way to say yes, I will call.
- "Sure, I'll text you first." Say so if you would rather send a message.
When to use it
Use it with friends, family and workmates when you want someone to phone you. It is friendly and casual. You will also hear give me a bell, give us a ring and give us a call, which all mean the same thing.
When not to use it
If you want a text or an email, say so, because give us a bell means a phone call. In formal emails, write "please call me".
Questions about "Give us a bell"
Why does give us a bell mean give me a call?
In casual Australian English, us often means me in requests, like give us a hand. A bell is a phone call.
Is give us a bell polite?
Yes. It is friendly and casual, and fine with most people you know. For a formal message, write please call me.
What does give us a ring mean?
The same thing. Ring and bell both mean a phone call.
