Crossword Genius

Good gracious, is that the damned alarm? (5,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hells bells

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the damned alarm?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'good gracious is' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'is' could be 'be' and 'be' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'that' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hells bells that I've seen before include "Those with a ring of fire" , "dammit?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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