| inf., n.amer. |
eagerly (To do something or go somewhere with bells on is to do it or go there eagerly: "Are you coming to Paul's tonight." "Sure, I'll be there - with bells on."  cambridge.org); enthusiastically (Everybody's waiting for you with bells on. • I mean, even if she didn't feel well, she would be there with bells on. • I'll be there with bells on, I promise - but what about the game? • The audience is likely to show up for A Christmas Classique,’ by pianist Lorie Line and her pop chamber orchestra, with bells on. • Bradley said, standing up, I'm waiting with bells on, Mr. Lauderdale, so why don't you hit me? • Any sane New York politician who can walk or crawl into the Plaza will be there with bells on, soaking up the good press. • They're doing it with bells on. • Just let me know when you're ready, and I'll be there with bells on. • I'll be there with bells on, though that might make us a little conspicuous. • I'll be there with bells on,’ Aidan said as he slid out of the car. • Also, he's coming to town, again, on the 13 th, and I will be there with bells on. lexico.com); eagerly or excitedly (The phrase is sometimes extended to "with bells on (one's) toes," which alludes to a nursery rhyme: Of course I'm coming to your play — I'll be there with bells on! thefreedictionary.com); very successfully (I'm confident that this computer program will do everything you're looking for with bells on. thefreedictionary.com); eagerly, willingly, and on time (Oh, yes! I'll meet you at the restaurant. I'll be there with bells on. • All the smiling children were there waiting for me with bells on their toes. thefreedictionary.com); ready to celebrate, eagerly (This metaphoric expression alludes to decorating oneself or one's clothing with little bells for some special performance or occasion. A well-known nursery rhyme has: "See a fine lady upon a white horse, Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, And she shall have music wherever she goes"; As in: Of course I'll come; I'll be there with bells on. thefreedictionary.com); people say they will be somewhere with bells on to mean that they will definitely be there and are very enthusiastic about it (We are sure that if you really care about your children, you will be here with bells on, helping out. thefreedictionary.com); people say with bells on to emphasize how extreme or successful something is (We wanted a speaker who could make a difficult subject interesting. Simon Singh succeeded with bells on. • At Disney you get the fun factor with bells on. thefreedictionary.com); enthusiastically (North American informal: So, everybody's waiting for you with bells on. thefreedictionary.com); ready to go, eager (I promise to be there at five in the morning with bells on. thefreedictionary.com); with eager anticipation and enthusiasm (especially regarding acceptance of an invitation: "How about a BBQ at our house, Saturday June 14th, 4pm?" "Great idea! We'll be there with bells on." wiktionary.org); in one's best dress and in a military fashion (urbandictionary.com) |
