Definition

Noun: 1. The sound made by a bell: A ringing sound, often alternating between two tones like "ding" and "dong," characteristic of a bell being struck. 2. A heated, evenly matched argument or contest: (Informal) A noisy, intense, and closely fought dispute, debate, or competition.

Usage and Examples

• As a noun (sound):

  • We could hear the ding-dong of the church bells from the village square.
  • The old clock announced the hour with a loud ding-dong.

• As a noun (contest/argument):

  • The political debate turned into a real ding-dong, with neither candidate giving an inch.
  • It was a ding-dong of a football match, ending in a 3-3 draw.

Advanced Usage

• Used informally and often humorously to describe any back-and-forth exchange or alternation.
  • Their ding-dong over who should wash the dishes lasted all evening.

Variants and Related Words

• Ding-dong battle: A prolonged and intense struggle.
  • The two companies are locked in a ding-dong battle for market share.

Synonyms

• Peal (for the sound): A loud ringing of a bell or bells.
• Altercation, Fracas, Tussle (for the argument/contest): A noisy quarrel or fight.

Idioms and Phrases

• Ding-dong (used as an adjective/adverb informally): Describing something that is intensely contested or alternating.
  • They were going at it ding-dong. (They were arguing or fighting intensely.)
  • It was a ding-dong affair from start to finish. (It was a very close and exciting contest.)

Noun

1. the noise made by a bell