with bells on

Idioms and Phrases

Ready to celebrate, eagerly, as in Of course I'll come; I'll be there with bells on . 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” (in Gammer Gurton's Garland , 1784).