ring of calrity?help needed

English translation: sounds as if it's ok but really isn't

02:52 Apr 16, 2014

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

English term or phrase: ring of calrity?help needed

I cannot figure out the meaning of "ring of clarity " . Why "ring of " is used before "clarity"?“THE oil price” has a comforting ring of clarity about it. But in reality many benchmark prices for oil and other commodities are merely estimates based on incomplete information from unregulated, illiquid markets."from a recent article of the Economist .
Help will be much appreciated.

windflowerin
China

Selected answer:sounds as if it's ok but really isn't

Explanation:
deceptive

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Note added at 36 mins (2014-04-16 03:29:20 GMT)
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Explanation:
that's the meaning

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Note added at 18 mins (2014-04-16 03:10:42 GMT)
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it seems plausible

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Note added at 29 mins (2014-04-16 03:21:57 GMT)
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"ring" in this case means it looks ok but really it isn't

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Note added at 29 mins (2014-04-16 03:22:23 GMT)
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just seems like

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Note added at 30 mins (2014-04-16 03:23:02 GMT)
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it's deceptive

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Note added at 41 mins (2014-04-16 03:33:48 GMT)
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in this case the oil price seems ok but it isn't

Selected response from:

David Hollywood
Local time: 22:39

Grading comment

Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +4

sounds as if it's ok but really isn't

David Hollywood

4 +1

it seems to be clear that this is THE price (of oil), but...

Yvonne Gallagher

pure, resonant and clear sound

B D Finch

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

35 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

sounds as if it's ok but really isn't

David Hollywood
Local time: 22:39
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 116

Grading comment

Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

5 hrs confidence:

pure, resonant and clear sound

Explanation:
A ring is a clear, resonant sound. Collins Dictionary gives as meaning 22 of "ring" "an inherent quality or characteristic".

There is nothing in the phrase "ring of clarity" that implies deception or falseness. On the contrary, the author is using this as a strong term to contrast with the subsequent "But in reality ... ". This is a rhetorical device of leading the reader to expect one thing and then contradicting it.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 03:39
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 192

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you for the answer to "the ring "question and the alteration and advice on how to post questions. Sorry, I am a newcomer and ignorant of rules. and sorry for the delay of response. Your answer sounds very convinicing.

12 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

ring of clarity it seems to be clear that this is THE price (of oil), but...

Explanation:
I find David's explanation difficult to follow and I don't fully agree with BDF.

THE oil price has a comforting ring of clarity about it. =this seems to be clearly the price or we can be clear/sure about the price

BUT

often these prices are only... "estimates based on incomplete information"...

"ring of clarity " is an expression meaning this all seems to be ringing true/clearly like a bell

but, in this case, it possibly is not so clear what the REAL or actual price of oil is.

Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 02:39
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 659

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you for your answer.

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